THE 


HALF  CENTURY 


OF 


California  Odd  fellowship 


ILLUSTRATED 

BY 

GEO.  H.  TINKHAM 

Newspaper  Writer  and  Author  of  "History  of  Stockton,  and  the 
Stockton  I.  O.  O.  F.  Lodges." 


1906: 

Record  Publishing  Co. 

STOCKTON 


Copyright  applied  for  by  George  H.  Tinl^ham. 


;Y 


J0798I  ^^^^^-5 


INTRODUCTION. 

t^*  5^*  5^* 


To-day  we  are  living  in  a  commercial,  a  money-making  age, 
the  pessimist  tells  us,  and  in  the  footsteps  of  the  Perfect  Man 
we  are  making  no  progress. 

Never  was  there  a  more  unreliable  statement  made,  for 
the  dawn  of  this  century  saw  in  existence  more  charitable  and 
benevolent  organizations  than  in  any  previous  period  of  time. 
Organizations  in  which  men  and  women  have  bound  them- 
selves together  under  various  social  names,  each  institution 
striving  to  accomplish  the  most  in  helpful  assistance. 

In  this  grand  work  for  humanity.  Odd  Fellowship  leads, 
and  beneath  its  white  three-linked  banner  a  million  and  a  half 
Odd  Fellows  and  a  half  million  Rebekahs  march,  Faith,  Hope 
and  Charity  their  watch-word — Friendship,  Truth  and  Love, 
their  battle  cry.  This  army,  like  the  Crusaders  of  old,  gathers 
increasing  numbers,  power  and  enthusiasm  as  it  moves 
through  the  century,  and  before  I  pen  its  record  on  this  west- 
em  shore,  let  us  learn  something  of  its  God-ordained  American 
origin. 

Five  years  after  the  close  of  the  war  between  England  and 
the  United  States,  an  Englishman  by  the  name  of  Thomas 
Wildey  had  the  courage  to  emigrate  to  the  enemies'  country. 
The  Americans  then  had  no  love  for  the  Britons,  and  yet 
Thomas  Wildey,  with  his  wife,  landed  at  Baltimore  looking 
for  work.  In  his  veins  there  flowed  no  royal  blood;  no  kingly 
heritage  had  he.  He  was  of  the  lowly  class — a  common 
mechanic — a  coach-spring  maker;  and  yet,  within  his  heart 
there  was  the  ring  of  true  manhood,  and  his  name  was  des- 
tined to  rest  among  the  immortals. 

On  his  arrival  in  the  Monumental  City  he  found  a  pesti- 
lence raging.  Did  he  flee  from  the  plague,  or  sit  idly  by,  look- 
ing on?    Could  a  man  do  that  who  had  for  twenty  years  been 


yyj\)\ 


■'MM; :) 


4  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

an  active  worker  in  the  ranks  of  the  English  Odd  Fellows, 
Certainly  not.  "He  was  made  of  sterner  stuff,"  and  although 
and  who  had  not  only  been  a  worker  but  a  lodge  organizer? 
we  have  no  record — for  he  was/  a  silent  man  regarding  his 
American  life — no  doubt  he  was  among  the  foremost  to  "visit 
the  sick,  relieve  the  distressed  and  bury  the  dead."  The  fever 
was  soon  stamped  out,  and  Wildey  found  employment. 

Over  in  England  they  had  their  taverns  or  ale  houses, 
where  the  commoners  assembled  for  sociability,  a  drink,  a 
song  or  a  smoke,  and  Wildey,  of  a  strong  social  nature,  was 
there  also  a  leader.  Here,  he  was  a  stranger  in  the  new 
country  of  his  adoption,  and  naturally  seeking  friends  and 
companions,  one  of  his  first  acquaintances  was  John  Welch, 
another  Briton. 

Two  years  have  passed;  it  is  our  anniversary  year,  1819, 
Wildey  and  Welch  are  still  in  Baltimore,  for  traveling  then 
was  very  expensive  and  very  slow;  and  one  day,  while  they 
were  conversing  of  society  and  events  in  Old  England,  Wildey 
exclaimed:  "I  know  of  a  society  you  want  in  this  country, 
the  Odd  Fellows."  Immediately,  Welch  replied:  "I  am  an  Odd 
Fellow,  a  Past  Grand  of  Birmingham  Lodge;  but  I  have  never 
met  an  Odd  Fellow  in  this  country,  nor  have  I  heard  of  such  a 
society  in  America."  This  remark  was  a  surprise,  for  Wildey 
thought  that  in  Baltimore,  with  its  60,000  people,  there  would 
be  many  Odd  Fellows. 

The  desire  that  was  afterward  implanted  in  the  California 
Odd  Fellows  took  possession  of  Wildey,  and  he  resolved  to 
institute  a  lodge  of  his  beloved  Order  in  i^altimore.  Five, 
according  to  English  law,  were  enough  to  institute  a  lodge, 
but  they  failed  to  find  another  brother,  although  they  made 
diligent  inquiry  for  several  weeks. 

Not  in  the  least  discouraged,  Wildey  now  resolved  to  seek 
the  assistance  of  the  press  in  his  search  for  brothers,  and 
February  13th,  in  the  Baltimore  American,  this  announcement 
appeared : 

"A  few  members  of  the  society  of  Odd  Fellows 
would  be  glad  to  meet  their  brethren  for  con- 
sultation upon  the  subject  of  forming  a  lodge. 
The  meeting  will  be  held  on  Tuesday  evening, 
the  2d  of  March." 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  5 

The  call  was  answered  by  the  two  Odd  Fellows,  Richard  Rush- 
ford  and  John  Duncan,  and  a  subsequent  advertisement  found 
Richard  Cheatham. 

As  the  brothers  were  all  poor  men,  they  held  their  pre- 
liminary meetings  in  a  tavern,  one  of  these  being  the  "Three 
Loggerheads,"  such  places  being  selected  because  the  "host" 
anticipating  the  fact  that  the  persons  assembled  would 
patronize  his  bar,  gave  them,  free  of  cost,  the  room,  lights  and 
fire.  We  do  not  know  just  how  many  preliminary  meetings 
were  held,  but  when  they  assembled  April  2d  they  adjourned 
to  meet  April  26th,  in  the  "Seven  Stars,"  kept  by  Thomas 
Lupton. 

Thus  it  is  that  the  "Seven  Stars"  comes^own  in  history  as 
a  most  important  place,  because  it  is  the  olrth-spot  of  Ameri- 
can Odd  Fellowship. 

That  night,  April  26th,  1819,  the  little  band  of  five 
assembled  and  instituted  a  lodge.  We  have  but  the  merest 
outline  of  their  most  important  proceedings,  for  they  were  men 
of  no  infiuence  in  the  community,  and  being  Englishmen,  their 
secret  meetings  were  regarded  with  suspicion.  All  we  know 
is  that  Thomas  Wildey,  first  taking  the  obligation,  then  gave 
it  to  the  other  brothers.  They  named  their  little  lodge  Wash- 
ington, No.  1,  and  elected  Thomas  Wildey  Noble  Grand  and 
John  Welch  Vice  Grand. 

The  lodge  was  instituted  as  a  purely  social  institution — 
a  fact  which  now  we  have  lost  sight  of  in  our, endeavors  "to 
put  money  in  our  purse" — and  the  relief  of  sick  and  needy 
brothers  was  a  side  issiie.  They  were  a  social,  jolly  band, 
and  to  assist  them  in  their  good  times  and  also  increase  their 
lodge  funds,  they  had  a  bar  in  a  corner  of  the  room,  and  there 
wines,  beer  and  liquor  was  dispensed  by  a  bar-tender  who  was 
known  as  the  "host."  'This  bar,"  said  Brother  Pryor,  "was 
one  of  the  lodge  incomes,  for  the  receipts  for  the  sale  of  liquor 
became  a  part  of  the  lodge  funds.  This  fund  was  also  in- 
creased by  a  penny  a  week  tax  from  each  brother,  and  if  a 
brother,  traveling,  was  in  need  of  assistance,  they  passed 
around  the  ax  for  contributions." 

The  liquor  drinking  habit  in  those  days  was  common  with 
all  classes,  and  in  the  lodge  room,  as  the  money  spent  was  for 


6  CALIFORNIA    ODD    PELLOWSHIt*. 

a  good  purpose,  it  had  a  tendency  to  cause  the  most  generous 
brothers  to  imbibe  too  freely;  and  it  was  on  one  of  these 
occasions  to  which  Thomas  Kennedy,  afterwards  a  Grand  Sire, 
referred  when  he  said  that  in  walking  the  streets  of  Baltimore 
one  evening  in  1822,  he  stopped  to  listen  to  a  "jolly  good  party" 
in  the  second  story  of  a  tavern.    First  he  heard  a  tenor  singing 

"Old  King  Cole  was  a  merry  old  soul, 
A  merry  old  soul  was  he." 

The  song  was  encored  by  a  loud  clapping  of  hands.  Then 
came  a  recitation  from  "Richard  III,"  and  following  this  came 
a  song,  "The  Little  Chimney  Sweep."  The  program  concluded 
with  a  chorus  in  which  all  the  brothers  joined: 

"Then  let  us  throw  all  care  aside. 
Let's  merry  be  and  mellow; 
May  Friendship,  Love  and  Truth  abide 
With  every  true  Odd  Fellow." 

Their  liquor  drinking  habits,  however,  were  very  severely 
reprimanded  by  the  Masonic  lodge  of  Baltimore,  and  they  took 
heed  of  the  lesson.  Ridgely  tells  us  that  Augustus  Mathiot,  a 
very  prominent  Odd  Fellow,  applied  for  membership  in  the 
Masonic  Order.  He  was  black-balled  because  he  belonged  to 
the  "bacchanalian  club  of  Odd  Fellows."  The  rejection  cut 
Mathiot  to  the  quick,  and  he  resolved  if  possible  to  blot  out 
the  stigma.  He  succeeded  for  a  time,  and  Washington  Lodge, 
No.  1,  through  Mathiot's  labors,  passed  the  first  temperance 
law:  "That  hereafter  this  lodge.  No.  1,  will  abolish  the  use  of 
every  kind  of  liquor  in  the  lodge  room."  This  was  known  as 
the  Maryland  reform,  and  it  was  unfortunate  that  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States,  organized  in  1823,  did  not  adopt 
this  reform  until  1865. 

Washington  Lodge  at  first  struggled  hard  for  life,  but  in 
1821  it  had  grown  so  rapidly  it  became  necessary  to  separate 
the  legislative  from  the  operative  part  of  the  Order.  The 
Past  Grands  assembled,  Washington  Lodge  surrendered  to 
them  her  charter  granted  by  the  Duke  of  York  Lodge,  England, 
and  February  22d  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Maryland  was  organ- 
ized with  the  following  Grand  officers,  all  mechanics,  "the  bone 
and  sinew"  of  the  land: 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  7 

M.  W.  G.  M.,  Thomas  Wildey,  coach-spring  maker. 

D.  G.  M.,  John  P.  Entwisle,  printer. 

G.  S.,  John  Welch,  house  and  ship  carpenter. 

G.  T.,  John  Boyd,  mahogany  sawyer. 

Grand  Guard,  Wm.  Larkin,  cabinet  maker. 
Five  years  later,  1826,  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States 
was  organized,  and  they  retained  this  name  until  1879,  at 
which  time  the  name  was  changed  to  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge, 
because  their  authority  then  extended  to  lands  beyond  the 
United  States. 

In  the  early  forties,  from  various  causes,  secession  from 
the  Manchester  Unity  was  freely  discussed,  and  in  1843  they 

"Resolved  that  all  communication  between  the 
Manchester  Unity  and  the  Grand  Lodge  be 
and    hereby   is    forthwith    severed."     *     *     * 

The  causes  which  led  to  the  secession  were  many  in  number, 
but  the  principal  cause  was  the  refusal  of  the  Unity  to  permit 
the  American  lodge  to  abolish  the  bar  from  the  lodge  room. 
The  Americans  desired  to  adopt  the  tv/o  beautiful  degrees 
written  by  John  Entwisle,  the  printer.  The  Unity  refused  to 
adopt  the  degrees  or  sanction  their  use  in  the  American  work; 
while  the  encampment  branch,  born  on  this  side  of  the  Atlan- 
tic, the  Unity  would  not  even  recognize.  So  it  was  with  many 
less  important  changes,  the  Unity  would  permit  none  of  them. 
It  was  with  deep  regret  that  Father  Wildey  separated  from 
the  Unity,  for  he  had  many  warm  friends  in  England;  but  his 
heart  rejoiced  four  years  later,  1846,  when  he  learned  that 
Gilbert  Watson  had  institute*  a  lodge  of  Odd  Fellows  in  the 
far-off  Pacific,  at  Honolulu,  Sandwich  Islands.  This  brings 
us  up  to  the  half  century  of  California  Odd  Fellowship. 


HALF    CENTURY 

OF 

CALIFORNIA  ODD  FELLOWSHIP 


CHAPTER  I. 

Older  than  the  State — First  Western  Coast  Lodge — Deputy 
Grand  Sire  Frazer — James  Smiley  obtains  a  dispensation — 
California  Lodge,  No.  1,  instituted — The  E.  P.  Jones  Lodge — 
Our  brothers  in  distress — The  Odd  Fellows  kept  busy — The 
Sacramento  Relief  Association — San  Francisco  expends 
$100,000 — Stockton  and  Marysville  reliefs — Pioneer  subordi- 
nate lodges — Without  working  books  or  rituals — Samuel  H. 
Parker's  arrival — He  desires  a  Grand  Lodge — Californians 
refused  a  charter — Secession  talk  in  convention — Parker 
pleads  for  Grand  Lodge  charter — Organization  of  the  Grand 
Lodge — Officers  elected  and  installed — The  first  Grand  Lodge 
work — Attend  a  brother's  funeral — The  Grand  Master's  good 
advice. 

Odd  Fellowship  on  this  western  coast  dates  back 
to  that  period  1846  when  California  belonged  to 
Mexico,  and  her  population  exceeded  not  a  few 
thousand  immigrants. 

Oregon,  however,  virtually  belonged  to  the 
United  States,  and  hither  a  brother  Past  Grand 
Odd  Fellow,  Gilbert  Watson,  concluded  to  enimi- 
grate,  and  there,  incidentally,  institute  a  lodge. 
Obtaining  a  dispensation  from  Albert  Guild,  a 
D.  G.  S.  of  Massachusetts,  he  saikxl  from  New  York 
1845  around  Cai)e  Horn,  and  on  arrival  at  Hon- 
olulu he  was  so  impressed  with  the  beauty  of  those 
tropical  isles  he  concluded  to  there  nMiiain.  A  few 
weeks  after    his  arrival    Dwemlu'r  10,  1S1(»,  witli 


10  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

a  charter  membership  of  five  Past  Grands,  he 
instituted  Excelsior,  No.  1,  with  Brother  Ten  Eck 
of  New  York  as  Noble  Grand.  Four  years  later, 
Alexander  Prazer  gave  the  lodge  a  charter  issued 
by  the  G.  L.  of  the  U.  S. ;  and  increasing  quite 
rapidly,  they  later  on  were  attached  to  the  Califor- 
nia jurisdiction. 

Watson's  change  of  plan  was  regretted  by  the 
Eastern  brethren,  as  they  were  anxious,  as  Grand 
Sire  Kneass  expressed  it — 

"To  send  the  glad  tidings  of  our  brother- 
hood across  the  Rocky  mountains,  to  the 
rock-bound  coast  of  Oregon." 

This  was  impossible,  however,  so  far  distant  was 
that  territory,  until  the  Government  unexpectedly 
opened  the  way,  by  ordering  Alexander  Frazer, 
Chief  of  the  Revenue  Service,  to  the  Pacific  Coast, 
to  map  out  light-house  construction.  Frazer  was 
a  past  high  officer  in  both  branches  of  the  Order, 
and  Grand  Sire  Kneass,  by  authority  from  the 
S.  G.  Lodge,  commissioned  him  "a  special  com- 
missioner, with  full  power  to  establish  and  super- 
vise the  Order  in  Oregon  and  California." 

Frazer,  accepting  the  position,  sailed  in  the 
revenue  cutter  Lawrence,  from  Norfolk,  Virginia, 
November  1,  1848,  but  delayed  by  heavy  storms  and 
headwinds,  he  did  not  reach  San  Francisco  until 
November  1,  1849.     On  arrival,  he  was  very  much 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  11 

surprised  to  find  an  Odd  Fellows  lodge  already 
instituted  by  Brother  James  Smiley,  he  having 
come  to  San  Francisco  by  the  isthmus  route. 
Deputy  Grand  Sire  Frazer  cruised  along  the  coast 
for  nearly  two  years,  and  CA^ery  time  he  sighted  a 
sliip,  especially  a  passenger  steamer,  he  floated  at 
llie  masthead  of  the  cutter  an  Odd  Fellows'  flag  (a), 
which  li(»  liad  made,  thus  proclaiming  to  the  world 
that  Odd  Fellowship  had  planted  its  banner  upon 
tlie  western  shore. 

James  Smiley,  says  the  record,  was  "an  active 
and  intelligent  member  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of 
Pennsylvania."  When  the  cry  of  gold  in  California 
resounded  all  along  the  eastern  shore,  he  at  once 
resolved  to  immigrate  to  the  new  El  Dorado,  make 
]iis  fortune,  and  institute  an  Odd  Fellows  lodge. 
Having  the  last  named  object  in  mind,  he,  upon 
inquiry,  found  five  other  Past  Grand  Odd  Fellows 
Charles  Justin,  Samuel  J.  Torbet,  Wm.  Caldwell, 
John  Willets  and  Geo.  IT.  Weaver  also  bound  for 
llic  gold  minces;  an<l  to  these*  hiol  hers,  January  12, 
isi!),  (hand  Sire  Kneass  granted  a  "dispensation 
to  constitute  a  lodge  of  Odd  I'd  lows  in  San  I'l-an- 
cisco,"  and  Smiley  was  antlioiizcd  to  institute  Cali- 
f<»rnia  No.  1. 

The  brothers,  reaching  San  I'l-ancisco  May  25th 
— thus    leaving    lMiihi(h'li>hia    .la una ry    KJth — has- 

(a)     For  note  readings,  see  end  of  cIhiijkm  s. 


12  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

tened  on  to  the  Sierras.  Smiley,  remaining  in  the 
tented  city,  opened  a  general  merchandizing  store. 
Forgetting  not  his  mission,  he  endeavored  to  insti- 
tute a  lodge  by  placing  an  advertisement  in  the 
California  Star,  requesting  all  Odd  Fellows  to 
assemble  July  10th,  "at  the  little  school  house  on 
the  plaza."  The  effort  was  a  failure.  Again,  in 
August,  he  made  an  unsuccessful  attempt,  a  crier 
then  going  through  the  streets  ringing  a  bell  and 
proclaiming  an  Odd  Fellows'  meeting.  Many 
brethren  assembled,  but,  like  the  July  meeting, 
none  had  withdrawal  cards  from  their  lodge.  They 
were  all  going  to  make  "their  pile"  in  a  few  months 
and  return  home.  Later  a  few  brothers  arrived 
with  withdrawal  cards,  and  Smiley,  learning  this, 
called  a  meeting,  and  September  9th  California 
Lodge,  No.  1,  was  instituted  by  Deputy  Grand  Sire 
Smiley,  assisted  by  Daniel  Norcross  (b).  Past 
Grand.  The  following  oflflcers  were  *  installed : 
Kichard  Taylor,  N.  G. ;  Wm.  Henly,  V.  G. ;  Charles 
Franklin,  Secretary,  and  John  M.  Coughlin,  Treas- 
urer. Brother  Taylor,  living  until  July,  1905,  read 
a  poem  at  the  fiftieth  anniversary  of  the  lodge. 

"Gold !  Gold !  Gold !"  That  cry  brought  Smiley 
to  California,  and  the  same  cry  killed  the  first 
California  lodge,  for  its  members,  leaving  every- 
thing behind  them,  hurried  to  the  mines.  The 
lodge  was  instituted  by  Brother  E.  P.  Jones,  editor 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  13 

of  llic  California  Stor,  he  landing  at  Yerba  Buena 
July  31st,  from  the  Mormon  ship  Brooklyn,  Samuel 
Brnnnnn  in  cliarga  Whether  he  had  in  mind  the 
iust  ii  til  ion  of  a  lodge  before  the  ship  left  New  York, 
we  do  not  knoAV,  but  soon  after  his  arrival  he  placed 
the  following  advertisement  in  the  Star: 

^'Notice.— Tlie  friends  of  tlie  I.  O.  O.  V.  are 
resx)ect fully  invite  d  to  attend  a  iiieelini;  of 
the  Order  Tuesday  c  veninii  next,  at  the   . 
Portsmouth     House.''  —  San      Franeiseo, 
Dee.  4th,  1847. 

Jones  was  the  proprietor  of  this  house,  then 
located  on  the  southwest  corner  of  Clay  and  Kear- 
ney streets.  A  goodly  number  of  brotliei*s  respond- 
ing, a  lodge  was  at  once  formed  with  E.  P.  Jones, 
N.  G. ;  Samuel  Brannan,  V.  G.,  and  John  Joice, 
Secretary. 

Their  rooms  were  neatly  fitted  up;  their  regalia 
was  of  home  manufactures  aiul  I  heir  iiKvtings  were 
hcM  ('very  ^fonehiy  night.  "Brethren  from  abroad 
visii  iiiii  I  his  )>la((',  aie  respectfully  invited  to  unite 
will)  lis."  So  reads  tlieir  advertisement.  The  lodge 
urcw  rapidly,  over  thirty  brothers  joining.  Re- 
iiio\iiio  to  larii-er  ()nart(M's  (Pacific  street,  near 
Kearney  I,  liiey  carried  on  tlieii*  work  until  May, 
1848.  Tlieii  lliey  rushed  io  the  mines.  A  f(^w 
brotlu'i-s  rciiiaiiiini:-  i»ehind,  hiiriied  t he  S(MU'et  work, 
and  paekiiiu   the   paraphernalia   and   regalia  "in  a 


H  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

strong  box"  they  stored  it  in  a  warehouse.  The 
fire  of  Christmas  eve  1848  swept  the  town  and 
left  not  a  secret  behind. 

The  cry  of  gold  in  California  resounded  all  along 
the  Atlantic  Coast  during  the  winter  of  1848,  and 
in  the  following  spring  an  army  of  Odd  Fellows,  by 
every  possible  means  of  transportation,  sailed  for 
that  land  whose  hills  were  reported  as  ''coronets  of 
gold."  These  brothers  in  their  Avild  rush,  had  not 
the  least  idea  of  the  new  country  to  which  they  Avere 
hastening,  the  exhorbitant  cost  of  food,  clothing 
and  shelter,  nor  the  length  of  time  recpiired  to  reach 
their  destination.  What  was  the  result?  Many 
Odd  Fellows  starting  from  home  Avith  just  enough 
money  to  pay  their  passage,  by  sailing  A^essel  or 
steamer,  Avere  ''broke"  on  arrival,  Avhile  others 
possessing  some  means,  soon  emptied  their  purse. 
Fever,  dysentary  and  scurA'y  Avere  then  prevalent, 
and  hundreds  taken  sick  en  route,  entered  the 
(i olden  Gate  in  a.  pitiful  condition,  AA'hile  thousands 
more,  taken  sick  after  their  arrival,  died  alone  and 
uncared  for  because  to  Odd  FelloAvs  unknoAvn. 

Thousands,  hoAvever,  Avere  sought  out  and 
recognized,  and  the  brethren  of  San  Francisco, 
Stockton,  Sacramento,  Marysville  and  other  min- 
ing camps  Avere  kept  busy  fulfilling  their  duty  in 
visiting  the  sick,  relieving  the  distressed  and  bury- 
ing the  dead.     The  better  to  carry  on  their  good 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  15 

work,  they  organized  relief  associations,  and  com- 
mittees were  appointed  to  seek  out  and  report  all 
sick  or  needy  brothers. 

In  Sacramento  an  association  was  organized  by 
a  Texas  Odd  FelloAV,  Brother  A.  M.  Winn,  later 
the  founder  of  the  Sons  of  the  Golden  West.  The 
brother  published  a  call  in  the  "Pacific  News"  to  all 
Odd  Fellows,  and  in  Winn,  Baker  &  McKee's  store 
on  K  street,  over  100  three  linkers  assembled 
August  20th,  1849,  and  organized  a  relief  associa- 
tion. Tliey  had  no  authority  to  thus  organize  and 
ji(l(>i>t  the  name  of  Odd  Fellow^,  but  the  necessities 
of  the  times  demanded  prompt  action,  and 
immediately  electing  officers,  they  made  A.  M.  Winn 
l*r(*sident,  S.  M.  Gallup  Secretary  and  Daniel 
McLaren  Treasurer.  That  none  might  not  neglect 
tlieir  duty,  the  President  was  authorized  to  call 
iilK)n  any  member  to  nurse  the  sick  "free  of  charge;" 
nurses  then  were  rec^eiving  |16.00  a  day,  and  each 
!rrother  was  ap]M)inted  a  committee  of  one  to  report 
any  sick  oi-  dcsi  i lute  brother. 

S('v<'ial  months  previous  to  the  organization  of 
tlir  S;i(  lauK'nto  ass'ociation  the  brothers  of  San 
Fraiiris,  (t  w  (  it  at  work  relieving  the  suffering,  and 
in  a  few  months,  said  Parkci',  iliey  expended  over 
.*1 00,000.  We  liav(*  no  i-ccoimI  of  their  history,  as 
tlirir  hooks  wci-c  all  drsl roved  in  ilie  fcmr  great 
fii'cs  thai  each  lime  burncMl  the  gi-eater  part  of  the 
town. 


16  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

In  the  ofiBce  of  A.  0.  Bradford,  afterwards  Grand 
Master,  efforts  were  made  to  organize  a  Stockton 
relief  association.  A  meeting  for  that  purpose  was 
held  in  November,  1850,  and  resolutions  were 
adopted  to  organize  an  association  the  following 
week.  When  the  appointed  time  had  come,  the 
brothers  had  gone  to  all  parts  of  the  territory,  so 
unsettled  and  uneasy  then  were  the  pioneers. 

Marysville's  population  were  less  migratory  in 
their  habits,  and  under  the  guidance  of  Daniel 
McLaren,  an  association  was  formed,  and  until  the 
institution  of  Yuba  Lodge  No.  5,  in  October  1856, 
they  accomplished  splendid  work  in  relieving  the 
sick  brothers  of  that  section. 

The  relief  associations  being  illegal  bodies,  they 
transferred  their  work  immediately  to  the  subordin- 
ate lodges  of  their  localities,  as  soon  as  said  lodges 
were  instituted.  The  lodges  then  performed  the 
work  in  a  more  thorough  and  business-like  manner, 
and  nobly,  right  nobly  they  performed  their  part, 
those  five  pioneer  subordinates.  The  first  to  fall 
into  line  was  Sacramento  No.  2,  which  was  insti- 
tuted January  28th,  1851,  by  James  Smiley,  Deputy 
Grand  Sire.  The  lodge  was  instituted  in  the  upper 
story  of  a  building  known  as  the  Red  House,  south- 
west corner  of  J  and  Fifth  streets,  the  Masons  meet- 
ing in  the  same  hall.  The  work  of  relief  was  found 
too  heavy  for  one  lodge  to  carry  on  successfully. 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  17 

and  to  assist  them,  a  second  lodge  Avas  instituted 
January  ITtli,  1852,  Eureka  No.  4,  with  William  H. 
Watson  as  Noble    Grand.     Sacramento  was    then 


SAMUEL    H.    PARKER,  P.  G.  M. 

Samuel  H.  Parker  was  born  in  Portsmouth,  N.H.,  July  29th, 
1818.  While  engaged  In  the  practice  of  law,  he  having  been 
admitted  to  the  bar  at  the  age  of  24,  Odd  Fellowship  was 
Introduced  into  the  State. 

Brother  Parker  became  deeply  interested  in  the  work  of 
the  Order,  and  November  24th,  1843,  he  was  initiated  in  a 
distant  city  lodge.  Taking  out  a  withdrawal  card,  he  re- 
turned to  Dover,  and  in  the  following  month,  December 
28th,  Wecohamet  Lodge  was  instituted,  with  Parker  as  a 
charter  member  and  Vice  Grand.  April  1st,  1844,  he  was 
installed  as  Noble  Grand,  and  from  .January  9th,  1844,  until 
February  12th,  1852,  he  held  the  office  of  Degree  Master.  He 
represented  his  lodge  in  the  Grand  Lodge  in  1845,  and  he 
was  that  year  installed  as  Grand  Master.  In  1846-48-49-50  he 
represented  his  State  in  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  and 
from  this  time  on  his  life  work  is  a  part  of  California  history. 


18  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

rapidly  being  peopled  by  Eastern  Odd  Fellows,  and 
as  the  two  lodges  were  beyond  experiment,  it  was 
thought  advisable  to  institute  a  third  lodge.  Eleven 
charter  members  were  obtained  and  September 
24th,  1852,  John  F.  Morse,  then  editing  the  Pacific 
^'cAVS,  instituted  El  Dorado  No.  8.  San  Francisco 
No.  3  was  instituted  July  5th,  1851,  to  help  Cali- 
fornia No.  1  in  their  relief  w^ork,  the  Rev.  Jesse 
Boring  being  the  first  Noble  Grand.  In  the  fol- 
lowing year  the  Stockton  Odd  Fellows  took  up  the 
humane  Avork,  and  February  14th,  1852,  Charity 
Lodge  No.  6  Avas  organized  by  E.  G.  Greenfield  of 
NcAV  York,  he  receiving  a  dispensation  to  institute 
the  lodge  from  E.  G.  Coughlin,  acting  Deputy 
Grand  Sire.  No.  6  Avas  instituted  Avitli  six  charter 
members,  they  coming  from  as  many  different 
States,  two  from  Ncav  York,  and  one  each  from 
Pennsylvania.,  Alabama,  Mississippi  and  liOuisiana 

In  the  mining  camp  Auburn  three  zealous  broth- 
ers resolved  to  form  a  lodge,  and  through  their 
noble  efforts,  October  7th,  1852,  Auburn  No.  7  came 
into  life.  It  Avas  instituted  in  the  parsonage  of  the 
Methodist  church  by  George  I.  N.  Monell,  Avith 
Hanson  Hazel  as  Noble  Grand  and  W.  F.  Norcross, 
the  Avatch  repairer  and  jeAveler,  as  Secretary. 

These  California  pioneer  lodges  labored  as  best 
they  might  to  fulfill  the  obligation  Ave  have  all  taken 
to  mutually  assist  our  brothers.     Their  work  was 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  19 

performed  in  a  crude  and  imperfect  manner,  for 
they  had  no  competent  instructor,  either  in  the 
secret  or  the  degree  Avork.  None  of  the  lodges  had 
rituals  or  "working  books,-'  except  California  No. 
1  and  Sacramento  No.  2,  Avhich  they  sometimes 
loaned  to  the  other  lodges,  they  being  transported 
back  and  forth  by  an  Odd  Fellow  express  agent. 
The  brothel's  were  compelled  to  depend  upon  the 
memory  of  some  one  of  their  number  for  their  i*ead- 
ing,  and  the  memory  of  some  of  the  brothers  was 
remarkable.  One  brother,  E.  G.  Greenfield,  wrote 
out  the  work  for  Charity  Lodge  No.  6  so  correctly, 
that  when  compared  Avith  the  ritual,  but  few  mis- 
takes were  found.  Grand  Master  Fox  declared 
that  while  instituting  a  northern  lodge,  he  there 
found  a  brother  Avho  read  correctly  all  of  the  secret 
and  degree  work,  although  he  had  not  been  in  a 
lodge  room  for  twenty  years.  A  Mason  also,  he 
gave  Fox  their  work. 

A  comi)etent  instructor  and  lodge  organizer 
would  soon  be  at  hand  to  instruct  the  brothei*s,  in 
fact  he  was  then  on  his  way  to  California.  Two  days 
previous .  to  the  institution  of  Charity  Lodge, 
1^'ebruary  12th,  1852,  he  bid  adieu  to  his  New 
Hampshire  lodge,  where  he  had  been  degree  master 
since  1844,  and  started  for  the  golden  west.  A 
brother  high  in  the  councils  of  Odd  Fellowship, 
three  times  a  representative  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of 


20  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

the  United  States  and  twice  an  aspirant  for  the 
office  of  Grand  Sire,  why  should  Samuel  H.  Parker, 
then  a  young  man  of  34  years,  leave  behind  him 
brothers,  home,  fortune  and  fame  to  locate  in  Cali- 
fornia. Perhaps  the  English  poet  explains  the 
enigma  when  he  wrote : 

^'There  is  a  Divinity  that  shapes  our  ends. 
Rough  hew  them  how  we  will." 

Be  that  as  it  may,  five  votes,  the  number  by  Avhich 
he  was  defeated  in  1850  for  Grand  Sire,  changed 
the  direction  of  his  life  and  two  years  later,  April, 
1852,  Ave  find  him  working  with  heart  and  soul,  to 
place  the  lodges  in  good  order  and  on  a  sound  basis. 

The  first  and  most  important  movement  in  Par- 
ker's opinion  was  the  organization  of  a  Grand 
Lodge,  for  said  he : 

^^By  the  establishment  of  a  Grand  Lodge, 
we  shall  be  able,  without  delay,  to  scatter 
broadcast  the  seeds  of  our  great  and 
glorious  Order  over  the  entire  new  world, 
whose  fruit  shall  be  more  than  a  hundred 
fold  in  a  single  harvest." 

Five  lodges  were  enough  to  organize  *  a  Grand 
Lodge  according  to  law,  and  in  July,  1852,  a  peti- 
tion was  drawn  up  and  signed  by  Past  Grand 
Representative  Parker  and  all  of  the  State  Past 
Grands.  It  was  then  forwarded  to  the  Highest 
Lodge,  praying  them  to  grant  California  a  charter. 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  21 

Several  brothers,  as  individuals,  sent  letters  of 
complaint  regarding  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire 
Smiley,  and  on  the  first  day,  the  petition  and  the 
letters  were  presented  by  Parker's  successor  and 
referred  to  the  two  Committees  on  Petitions  and 
Correspondence.  Horace  A.  Manchester,  after- 
wards a  Eepresentative  of  the  Grand  Ijodge  from 
Stockton  No.  11,  was  chairman  of  the  first  named 
committee.  They  recommended  that  the  charter  be 
not  granted,  because  the  lodge  had  no  official 
knowledge  of  any  lodges  save  California  No.  1,  and 
no  fees  or  dues  had  been  received.  The  money  was 
sent,  however,  over  f2,000,  but  was  lost  somehow 
in  the  mix-up.  The  Corresponding  Committee  also 
reporting  adversely,  severely  scored  Smiley  for  his 
mismanagement  and  neglect  of  duty,  and  declared 
that  the  letters  were  misleading;  the  committee, 
however,  were  very  charitable,  and  they  recom- 
mended that  a  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  be 
api)ointed,  and  that  the  Grand  Sire  be  authorized 
to  make  such  an  appointment,  preference  to  be 
given  to  a  permanent  resident  of  California. 

So  confident  were  the  Californians  of  success,  a 
law  was  passed  April  12th,  1852,  incorporating 
"The  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,"  and 
when  late  ip  October,  they  learned  of  the  action  of 
the  Sovereign  Grand  I.od^c,  miiiiy  were  vci-y  angry. 
Tliey  want(Hl  to  secede  ;iii  dorj^niiize  an  independent 


22  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

lodge.  The  secession  movement  was  strongly 
in  evidence  when  April  11th,  1853,  the  Past  Grands 
again  assembled  to  petition  the  Supreme  Body  "for 
a  Grand  Lodge  for  the  State."  Sixteen  Past  Grands 
were  in  attendance,  and  as  the  proceedings  show, 
secession  was  in  the  air.  It  was  a  crucial  test  on 
the  very  threshold  of  California  Odd  Fellowship, 
and  as  Past  Grand  Master  Burton  declared,  it  was 
a  difficulty  "which  well  nigh  proved  disastrous,  and 
came  near  causing  a  separation  from  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States,  but  which  was  happily 
healed  and  all  trouble  removed."  The  difficulty 
arose  when  the  folloAving  resolution  was  put  to 
vote : 

"Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  five  from 
this  convention  prepare  a  petition  for  a 
Grand  Lodge  for  this  State,  to  be  forward- 
ed by  the  next  mail  to  the  Grand  Sire." 

When  the  question  was  put  the  seceders  strongly 
favored  an  Independent  Lodge,  and  when  one 
representative  inquired,  "What  shall  we  do?" 
"Form  an  independent  body,"  said  Graham  of 
Sacramento.  Samuel  McLean  of  Charity  No.  6 
finally  succeeded  in  pacifying  tlie  discontented 
brothers,  and  the  resolution  passed. 

I  am  unable  to  understand  why  this  convention 
was  held  (see  Grand  Lodge  Journal,  first  pages), 
when  the  brethren    had  at    that  time  a  "warrant 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  23 

issued  to  District  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Parker,  mine 
pro  fiDir,  ]\rnrch  8th,  1853,  to  receive  new  applica- 
tions for  a  warrant,  with  power. to  institute  a 
Grand  Lodge."  Behind  this  warrant  stands  the 
linrd  A\()rk,  the  persistent  pleading  and  the  logical 
arguments  of  Parker.  When  the  neAVS  of  the 
rejection  of  the  petition  Avas  received  Parker  began 
corresponding  with  Grand  Sire  Moore,  urging  him 
to  grant  a  dispensation  for  a  charter,  Parker  believ- 
ing that  Moore  had  that  power.  But  the  Grand 
Sire  answered,  "I  am  powerless  in  this  matter."  As 
Parker  continued  writing,  Moore  commissioned  his 
former  opponent  for  office  as  District  Deputy 
Grand  Sire.  Now  says  Moore,  "You  can  institute 
the  lodges,  and  they  can  present  a  new  petition  to 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States."  "No," 
answered  Parker;  "the  great  distance  apart  of  the 
lodges,  the  uncertainty  of  the  mail  transportation, 
and  the  high  state  of  feeling  which  obtains,  renders 
such  an  attempt  utterly  hopeless."  The  Grand  Sire, 
believing  that  if  such  were  the  case,  he  had  better 
stretch  the  law,  sent  the  warrant.  Parker,  in  his 
letter  to  Ridgley,  April  11th,  acknowledged  the 
receipt  of  tlie  warrant  and  declared  tliat  in  May  he 
^^()^ll(l  orpmize  the  Grand  Lodge. 

Late  in  April  he  issued  liis  in'oclaninlion  to  the 
lodges  to  ehM-l  Dm  ii-  TvN  jti-csciilnlivcs  to  ilu^  Grand 
Lodge.    At  the  lime  apiMUiiicd,  May  ITth,  1853,  the 


24  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

thirty-eight  Kepresentatives  from  the  seven  sub- 
ordinate lodges,  assembled  in  the  Odd  Fellows'  hall, 
Genella  building,  Montgomery  street.  The  con- 
vention was  called  to  order  by  the  Deputy  Grand 
Sire,  he  appointing  T.  Rodgers  Johnson  as  Secre- 
tary, and  the  following  Grand  Officers  pro  tem :  0. 
C.  Hay  den  of  No.  3,  D.  G.  Master;  P.  E.  Dexter  of 
No.  1,  G.  Marshal;  and  E.  G.  Greenfield  of  New 
York,  G.  Warden.  The  convention  refused,  how- 
ever, to  admit  the  brother  last  named  until  after 
the  organization  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

The  Grand  Officers  were  elected  the  first  day,  and 
Parker  elected  Grand  Master,  had  as  his  opponents 
John  F.  Morse  and  Mathew  Purdin.  A  spirited  con- 
test for  Deputy  Grand  Master  took  place,  there 
being  five  nominees :  Noab  Sutton,  John  F.  Morse, 
Edwin  W.  Colt,  John  M.  Coughlin  and  Mathew 
Purdin.  Morse  was  elected  Deputy  Grand  Master; 
T.  Rodgers  Johnson,  Secretary,  and  J.  M.  Coughlin, 
Treasurer.  On  the  last  day  of  the  session  Samuel 
H.  Parker  was  installed  as  Grand  Master,  he  then 
installing  his  appointed  officers.  The  first  Noble 
Grand  of  Charity  No.  6,  I.  Zacariah,  Grand  Mar- 
shal; L.  F.  Zantsinger  of  No.  1,  Grand  Conductor; 
and  A.  el.  Lucas  of  Eureka  No.  4,  Grand  Guardian. 

The  Lodge  continued  four  days  in  session  and 
they  adopted  a  Constitution  and  By-Laws,  a  Lodge 
seal,  divided  the  State  into  districts,  each  county  a 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  25 

district;  petitioned  tlie  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United 
States  to  remit  their  percentage  dues,  granted 
chai'ters  for  the  institution  of  Lodges  in  Stockton, 
Diamond  Spring's,  Sonora,  Yreka  and  Marysville, 
and  selected  Sacramento  as  their  place  of  meeting 
in  1854:;  Sacramento  that  yeai*  building  and  dedi- 
cating a  hall,  the  tii*st  in  the  State. 

On  the  lirst  day,  the  Grand  Body  adjourned  at 
noon  to  perform  the  last  said  duty  to  a  brother, 
and  in  full  regalia,  they  attended  the  funeral  of 
C.  N.  Turner,  their  first  and  last"  service  to  the 
brother  of  a  subordinate  lodge. 

The    fourth    day    the    Representatives    worked 

speedy,  so  that  they  could  take  the  4  o'clock  boats 

for  their  homes,  and  in  the  parting  hour  Grand 

Mjist(r    Parkier    breathed    into    his    address    t\w 

tbouglits  that  have  ever  since  animated  the  breast 

of  every  true  Odd  Fellow,  when  he  said  in  closing: 

^^],(  t  us  do  all  iu  our  power  to  spread  the 

l)riucii)hs  of  h^riendsbip,  Love  and  Truth 

in  eyevy  city,  town  and  village  within  the 

borders  of  our  great  and  glorious  State." 

The  Grand  Chaplain  then  oifercxl  the  closing 
prayer,  and  the  first  (Jrand  Lodge  of  Galiforiiia 
adjourned  s'nw  die. 

(a)  In  1879  this  historic  flag  was  presented  to  the  Grand 
Lodge. 

(b)  The  irony  of  fate  is  seen  in  the  case  of  Brother  Nor- 
cross.    An  enthusiastic  worker  for  Odd  Fellowship  throughout 
his  life,  as  he  was  about  to  start  for  California  his  partner  said 
to  him:     "Dan,  why  don't  you  see  Kneass  and  get  a  dispensa- 
tion for  a  California  lodge?"  "I'll  do  it."  he  replied,  and  going 

to  the  ofllce,  he  met  Smiley  coming  out  of  the  door,  he  just 
having  obtained  his  dispensation. 


CHAPTER  II. 


Encampment's  petition  for  a  State  charter — Organization 
of  a  Grand  Encampment — The  Grand  Lodge  fight — Some  pre- 
vious history — Morse  scores  the  Encampment — Grand  Master 
Colt's  warm  report — Parker's  fire-kindling  motion — Sargent 
and  Brewster  resign — Separating  the  slieep  from  the  goats — 
Non-Encampment  members  protest — Burton's  oil  of  peace — 
Lively  question  for  1872 — The  dead  issue — Chinese  are  very 
popular — They  may  become  Odd  Fellows — May  the  Polynesians 
come  in? — The  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  in  a  trap — The  Chinese 
are  not  eligible — The  color  line  discussion — Excelsior  Lodge 
memorial — What  do  leading  journals  say — California  draws 
the  color  line. 


The  subordinate  lodges  had  within  their  ranks 
many  brothers  who  were  members  of  the  Encamp- 
ment branch  of  the  Order,  and  as  early  as  1854, 
P.  G.  Master  Parker,  presuming  he  had  the  author- 
ity, instituted  an  encampment  at  San  Francisco — 
Golden  Gate,  No.  1;  at  Sacramento,  Pacific,  No.  2, 
and  at  Stockton,  Parker,  No.  3.  The  same  year  the 
encampments  petitioned  the  S.  G.  L.  for  a  State 
charter,  the  petition  being  signed  by  thirteen 
patriarchs,  all  in  good  standing.  Grand  Represen- 
tative Purdin  presented  the  paper  to  the  Supreme 
Tribunal,  and  that  body,  "deeming  it  good  for  the 
patriarchal  branch  of  the  Order,  in  that  distant 
part  of  the  country,"  granted  their  petition, 
although  it  was  illegal,  the  Past  Grand  Master 
having  no  authority  to  institute  encampments. 

Mathew   Purdin   was   commissioned   as   Deputy 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  27 

Grand  Sire,  and  iiniiud lately  upon  his  arrival  from 
the  East  he  notified  the  encampments  to  elect  their 
representatives  to  assemble  January  8th,  1855,  at 
Sacramento,  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  a  State 
Grand  Encampment  The  representatives  met  at 
the  appointed  time  in  Odd  Fellows'  Hall,  and 
answered  to  their  names  as  follows:  Golden  Gate, 
No.  1 — Samuel  H.  Parker,  Daniel  Norcross,  P.  B. 
Dexter,  T.  Rodgers  Johnson,  A.  S.  Iredale,  John 
Southwell,  Prescott  llolx^tson,  A.  P.  Asher,  Walter 
T'elch  and  David  KcMidall;  horn  Pacific,  No.  2 — 
Matthew  Purdin  and  (\  C.  Hay  den,  and  from 
Parker,  No.  3— EdA\in  \V.  (^olt,  J.  P.  I).  Wilkins, 
Allen  Lee  Bours  and  Andrew  Wolf.  Of  these  repre- 
sentatives, all  are  dead  except  Andrew  AVolf.  He 
is  still  living  at  Stockton,  at  the  age  of  84,  and 
attending  d^ily  to  his  regular  business. 

The  election  of  officers  took  place  the  first  day, 
with  Samuel  H.  Parker,  M.  ^y.  G.  P.;  Prescott 
Robertson,  M.  E.  G.  H. ;  Edwin  W  .  (3olt,  R. W.  G.  S. ; 
T.  Rodgers  Johnson,  R.  W.  G.  S. ;  W.  H.  Watsim, 
G.  T. ;  George  Borrowdale,  G.  J.  W. 

Although  in  this  Avork  I  am  treating  of  Grand 
Lodge  events  only,  I  have  introduced  this  bit  of 
encampment  history  as  a  prelude  to  tln^  Grand 
Lodge  fight  which  tooU  jdace  in  the  session  of  IS.k;, 
at  Mar^'svi lie,  over  what  was  known  :is  the  merge- 
ment  question — a  resolution  which  won  Id  not  have 


28  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

deeply  agitated  the  representatives  had  there  been 
no  encampment. 

At  the  time,  1856,  there  was  a  resolution  before 
the  S.  G.  L.,  of  vital  importance  to  the  encamp- 
ments, and  that  we  may  fully  understand  the  rea- 
son of  the  excitement  that  prevailed,  a  brief  history 
of  the  movement  is  necessary. 


GEO.  F.  ROESCH,  P.  G.  P. 
Stockton  Lodge,  No.   11,  P.  G. 
Brother  Roesch  was  Grand  Patriarch,  1894-95,  and  Grand 
Representative,     1896-97.    In  his  decisions  as  Grand  Patriarch 
he  was  just  and  firm,  and   his   record   shows   as  one  of  the 
bright  lights  in  the  Encampment  hall. 

The  mergeinent  resolution,  introduced  by  Repre- 
sentative Pindell  of  Kentucky,  in  1850,  was  the  out- 
growth of  a  resolution,  introduced  into  the  S.  G.  L. 
1831,   by  Ridgely,   which   was  adopted,   that  the 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  29 

Royal  Purple  Encampment  degree  must  be  attained 
by  all  the  representatives  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
United  States. 

The  subordinate  lodges  quietly  submitted  to  this 
decree  until  1850.  Then  Representative  Pindell 
introduced  a  resolution  that  a  committee  of  five  be 
appointed  "to  take  into  consideration  the  propriety 
of  merging  the  Grand  Encampment  into  the  sub- 
ordinate lodges."  The  resolution,  defeated  by  a 
vote  of  only  49  to  36,  started  the  "no  encampment 
movement,"  and  in  1855  North  Carolina,  Georgia, 
Delawai'e  and  New  Jersey  called  for  "the  old  Avork" 
(nine  degrees),  while  Ohio  and  New  York  opposed 
any  and  all  mergement  schemes.  The  committee 
appointed  on  this  question,  1854,  handed  in  a 
report  for  and  against  any  change,  and  the  G.L.U.S. 
by  a  majority  of  12,  adopted  the  majority  report 
that  a  committee  of  five  be  appointed  to  submit  a 
plan  for  the  merging  of  the  two  branches  of  the 
Order.     Their  report  was  laid  over  until  1856. 

Grand  Master  Morse,  who  was  strongly  in  favor 
of  the  mergement,  although  lie  was  a  Past  High 
Priest  of  Pacific,  No.  2,  in  his  report,  1855,  severe- 
ly scorcMl  the  Encampment,  and  he  asserted  among 
other  reasons  tliat  "it  claims  a  superior  rank,  is 
continually  disturbing  the  peace  and  quiet  of  the 
subordimite  lodges;  is  n^garded  iis  an  aristocratic 
or  select  dei>artment  of  Odd  Fellowship,  and  in- 


30  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

creases  the  dues  without  a  corresponding-  benefit." 
When,  in  1856,  the  Grand  Lodge  assembled  in 
Marysville,  the  feeling  "ran  high,  and  at  one  time 
almost  threatening  to  disrupt  the  Order."  The 
report  of  Grand  Master  Morse  had  made  him  many 
enemies,  and  the  diflflculty  was  brought  to  a  focus 
by  the  insulting  report  of  Grand  Master  Colt,  read 
by  Deputy  Grand  Master  Hueston,  Colt  not  appear- 
ing because  of  charges  to  be  preferred  against  him. 
In  this  report  he  declared — 

"That  Avith  this  matter  *  *  *  this  Right 
Worthy  Grand  Lodge  has  no  right  to  inter- 
fere. Many  of  its  members  never  having 
joined  the  Encampment,  are  not  capable  of 
deciding  upon  the  merits  of  the  case." 

This  report  made  the  non-Encamjjment  members 
very  "warm,"  and  James  E.  Perkins  said,  ^.^Refer  it 
to  a  committee  of  three."  The  motion  was  lost  by 
the  close  vote  of  31  to  35.  Then  arose  a  brother, 
since  famous  in  the  politics  of  State  and  Nation — 
Aaron  A.  Sargent,  then  a  Nevada  county  newspaper 
editor — and  moved  that  the  matter  be  referred  to  a 
committee  of  five.  Immediately  Parker  arose  with 
an  amendment  that  none  but  Encami:>ment  membei*s 
be  placed  on  that  committee.  "This  is  treason  to 
the  King" — what  is  its  meaning?  Section  4,  Article 
III,  of  the  constitution  adopted  three  years  pre- 
vious, declared  that  no  Grand  Lodge  representative 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  31 

could  be  elected  to  the  >\  arden's,  Deputy's  or  Grand 
Master's  chair,  unless  he  has  "attained  the  Royal 
Purple  degree,"  and  noAV  Parker  endeavors  to  ex- 
clude them  from  a  Grand  Lod<»e  committee.  Im- 
mediately John  A.  Brewster  of  Sonoma  raised  the 
point  of  order — 

"That  this  Grand  Lodge  has  no  right  to 
recognize,  in  its  working  session,  the 
Grand  Encampment  as  a  separate  body, 
and  that,  therefore,  the  amendment  of 
Past  Grand  Master  Parker  is  out  of  order." 

The  Grand  Master  declared  the  point  not  well 
taken,  and  John  L.  Van  Bokkelen,  to  avert  the  ap- 
proaching storm,  moved  the  indefinite  postpone- 
ment of  the  entire  question.  The  majority  of  the 
lodge  desiring  peace,  voted  for  the  motion,  54  to  27, 
Sargent,  Perkins  and  Brewster  voting  against  it. 

Sargent  and  Bi'cwstc^r,  botli  abkvmen  and  both 
on  the  Committw^  of  Appeals,  then  handed  in  their 
resignations  from  said  committiH* — 

"On  the  ground  tliat  tliey  are  not  m(MnbeT*s 
^  the  Grand  Eiic;nii]>iiient,  and,  tlu'rcrore, 
considered  by  this  (Jiand  Lodge  not  eligi- 
ble to  act  on  committees." 

v\s  the  Lodge  had  not  acted  on  Parker's  n^solu- 
lioii,  I  liey  refused  t<»  a<'r('|)i  ilic  i-csi^-naiions.  Sar- 
«i<Mil.  iiiii-casonalilc  hci-ansc  of  liis  aniicr,  llicn  inlro- 
duced  tlie  follow  inu  saicasiir  i'<'sohiiion  : 


82  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

"That  no  Past  Grand  be  allowed  to  vote  or 
speak  on  any  matter,  or  serve  on  any  com- 
mittee, unless  he  was  in  possession  of  the 
Royal  Purple  degree." 

The  committee  to  whom  the  resolution  was  re- 
ferred made  no  report.  It  seemed  as  though  the  air 
was  filled  with  fighting  ozone,  for  Prescott  Kobert- 
son  then  arose  "and  insisted  that  his  resolution  hv 
acted  upon,  even  when  the  Grand  Master  declared 
it  out  of  order.  "That  a  committee  of  three  Royal 
Purple  representatives  be  appointed  to  examine  all 
the  members  and  report  the  names  of  all  the  En- 
campment mend)ers  to  the  Grand  Master." 

The  restful  hours  seems  not  to  have  cooled  the 
anger  of  the  anti-Encampment  brothers,  and  the 
following  day,  immediately  after  the  reading  of  the 
minutes,  Perkins  renewed  the  combat  by  introduc- 
ing a  protest,  signed  by  the  representatives  of  over 
twenty  lodges.  This  protest,  after  reviewing  the 
work  of  the  preceding  day,  declared — 

"That  your  protestants  therefore  *  *  * 
consider  that  their  rights  *  *  *  ha^ 
been  invaded  and  their  positicm  in  this 
body  disgraced  *  *  *  ;  a  degradation 
to  which,  neither  as  Odd  Fellows  or  gentle- 
men are  they  able  to  submit." 

Sargent  wanted  the  prjotest  received,  spread  upon 
the  minutes  and  brought  to  the  notice  of  the  G.  L. 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  33 

of  the  U.  S.,  but  the  Lodge  wisely  laid  it  upon  the 
table. 

Another  brother's  resolution  '^in  favor  of  a  sep- 
aration of  the  two  branclu  s  of  the  Order'-  was  hiid 
over  until  1857,  because  ''of  the  magnitude  of  the 
subject  and  the  short  time  to  consider  it/' 

Then  came  the  master  stroke^  of  tluit  session,  a 
resolution  worthy  of  a  Roosevelt — tlie  oil  of  peace 
that  smoothed  the  angrj^  watei's.  C.  O.  Burton  of 
Charity  was  the  mover: 

"Resolved,  That  Article  III,  {Section  4,  'that 
R.  W.  G.  Masters,  R.  AV.  D.  (I.  Masters  and 
R.  W.  G.  Wardens,  must  have  attained  the 
Royal  Purple  degree,'  be  amended  by  strik- 
ing out  the  unjust  section." 

The  resolution  Avas  ref en-cd  to  William  H.  Wat- 
son, Samuel  H.  Parker  and  George  I.  N.  Monell,  all 
meml>ers  of  the  "camp,"  and  the  Lodge  accepted 
(heir  reix)rt — 

"That  it  would  l)e  conducive  to  the  best  har- 
mony of  the  Order  to  adopt  said  amend- 
gient." 

Peace  again  reigned,  tlien  and  from  tliat  time 
onward,  for  we  ar(»  reminded  as  nightly  we  sing  our 
ode,  we  must 

"Leave  disputes  and  strife  to  othei-s; 
We  in  harmony  must  move." 

In  the  S.  G.  L.  it  was  a  troublcsoinc  (pit^tion. 


34  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

"and  for  some  years  caused  heated  debates,  and  to 
some  extent  injured  and  retarded  the  growth  of  the 
Encampment  branch;''  but  in  California  it  was  a 
dead  issue  until  1872.  In  that  year,  both  the  Grand 
Lodge  and  the  Grand  Encampment  adopted  resolu- 
tions to  abolish  the  Encampment  branch  and  make 
the  subordinate  lodge  nine  degrees,  making  the 
Patriarchal,  the  Golden  Rule  and  the  Koyal  Purjile 
the  last  three  degrees.  This  amendment,  says 
Smith,  'Vould  have  changed  the  Order  so  com- 
pletely its  best  friends  would  never  have  known  it." 
Nevertheless,  Grand  Representative  Nathan  Porter 
favored  the  change,  and  introduced  the  amendment 
into  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge.  It  was  laid  over 
until  1874. 

In  that  year  the  Grand  Lodge  experienced  a 
change  of  heart.  They  reversed  completely  their 
instructions  of  1872  and  instructed  their  Grand 
Representatives,  C.  O.  Burton  and  John  B.  Har- 
mon, to  oppose  any  and  all  measures  looking  to  the 
mergement  of  the  two  branches.  In  the  Highest 
Court  the  opposition  was  dead,  and  when  Porter's 
amendment  came  up  for  action  it  was  overwhelm- 
ingly defeated  by  a  vote  of  4  to  120. 

Odd  Fellowship  has  no  affinity  with  party  or 
sects,  and  yet  that  great  problem,  the  colored  man, 
has  upon  two  separate  periods  created  heart  burn- 
ings and  strife  in  the  Grand  Lodge.     It  was  first 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  35 

created  by  the  Chinese,  a  race  Avhich,  said  a  brother, 
minei-s  left  their  work,  making  two  ouuce^s  a  day, 
and  traveled  tAventy  or  more  miles  to  Ir^aciaHieuto 
to  see.  They  were  very  popular  in  that  day  with 
the  fatherhood  of  God  and  the  brotherhood  of  man 
advocates,  and  Grand  Master  Morse,  believing,  per- 
haps, that  the  Chinese  Avould  apply  for  membership 
in  the  Order,  made  inquiry  of  Grand  Sire  Wilmot 
G.  DeSausure  of  South  Carolina  regarding 

"The  propriety  of  admitting  Chinese,  and 
allowing  them  to  have  a  lodge  and  work  in 
the  Chinese  language." 

The  answer  that  came  back  astonished  the 
pioneers  and  set  them  athinking,  for  the  Grand  Sire 
replied : 

"If  they  believe  in  a  Supreme  Being,  the 
Creator  and  Preserver  of  the  Universe,  I 
see  no  reason  for  their  exclusion." 

The  S.  G.  L.  journal  shows  no  action  of  the  Lodge 
regarding  the  Grand  Sire's  decision,  and  their 
silence  implied  an  approval. 

The  matter  rested  until  1858.  In  that  year,  the 
Sandwich  Islander's  Avcri*  knocking  at  ih(^  "outtr* 
door"  and  seekini;  admission  lo  (he  Onlcr.  William 
Wood,  then  D.  G.  Sire  of  the  Honolulu  jurisdiction, 
passed  up  to  Grand  Sire  Ellison  the  following 
question : 


36  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

"Is  there  any  objection  to  receiving  into  the 
Fraternity  the  members  of  the  Polynesian 
race,  whose  association  with  foreigners 
has  fitted  them  to  become  members  of 
institutions  similar  to  our  own." 

The  Grand  Sire  replied  that  he  could  see  no 
objections.  True,  it  is,  that  a  member  must  be  a 
"free  white  man,"  but — 

"We  see  Africans  with  a  skin  almost  as 
white  as  a  European ;  therefore,  the  Poly- 
nesians and  the  Mongolians  may,  like  the 
Africans,  become  so  changed  by  these 
gradations  as  to  bring  them  within  our 
rule  of  admission." 

Ellison's  decision  and  his  exceedingly  ingenuous 
argument  in  its  support  Avas  referred  to  a  com- 
mittee of  five.  Four  of  this  committee,  led  by 
Kobert  Bolyston  of  South  Carolina,  said :  "No,  they 
cannot  be  received  as  members."  The  minority 
(Stuart  of  New^  York,  later  Grand  Sire)  approved 
of  Ellison's  decision,  for  "the  Chinese  are  now 
eligible,  why  should  the  Polynesians  be  excluded." 

The  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  found  themselves 
trapped.  To  pacify  their  Southern  brethren,  and 
exclude  the  negro,  they  amended  the  constitution  in 
1827  by  inserting  the  words  "free  white,"  and  now 
their  leaders  claimed  the  colored  race,  the  Mongol- 
ians, "are  eligible  for  membership." 

The  California  representatives  fought  the  ques- 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  37 

tion  from  the  start,  and  Samuel  H.  l*ai*ker,  one  of 
the  com  mil  tee  to  whom  the  subject  was  referred, 
succeedeil  iu  having  the  reports  laid  over  until 
185!).  Tlien  John  W.  Dwinelle,  one  of  the  brightest 
men  in  the  ^Supreme  body,  succeeded  in  convincing 
the  committee — 

"That  the  terms,  ^free  white  nmles,'  are  de- 
scriptive of  the  pure  white  Caucasian 
race,  and  exclude  all  other  colors  and  races 
from  the  Order;  therefore,  the  Polynesians 
and  Chinese  are  not  eligible  to  nu^mber- 
ship." 

This  was  a  most  ]ia]>])y  victory  for  California,  and 
the  S.  (J.  L.  ad()[)tiii.u  tlu^  repi^rt,  it  settled  the  (pies- 
tion  concerning  tlie  Chinese. 

It  also  settled  the  status  of  the  ^'Kanakas, '  as 
they  were  calhd  in  California,  until  1875.  Then 
the  battle  over  the  colored  man  was  strongly  fought 
all  along  the  line,  from  California  to  New  York. 
The  cause  of  the  n  n(  wal  of  tlie  contc-st  was  created 
l»y  a  iiK  iiioi-ial  sent  to  the  Sovc-Teign  Crand  Lo;lg(^ 
from  lOxct'isior  Lodge,  No.  1,  and  the  report  to  tlie 
California  (Irand  Lodge  of  Martin  White*,  1*.  Ci. 
Master  of  Nevada,  Ik  ,  on  his  visit  to  Honolulu, 
representing  (Irand  Master  Bradford.  Ivxcelsior 
Lodge  wius  then  in  the  California  jurisdiction. 

The  UKMiiorial,  which  was  signed  by  over  seventy 
members  of  tiic  h)dge — 


38  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

"Prayed  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  to  so 
construe  the  law  as  to  permit  the  admit- 
tance of  the  Polynesian  race,  as  there  are 
many  among  them  intelligent  half-white 
persons  who  would  make  good  Odd  Fel- 
lows. 'God  hath  made  of  one  blood  all 
nations  of  men,  to  dwell  on  the  face  of  the 
earth'." 

Past  Grand  Master  White's  report  was  along  the 
same  lines,  and  he  declared  that  ''our  unjust  laws" 
retarded  the  growth  of  the  Island  lodge — 

"For  among  the  natives  *  *  *  there 
are  many  who  would  make  good  Odd  Fel- 
lows, but  the  word  'white'  in  the  constitu- 
tion prevents  their  becoming  members. 
Even  the  King,  himself,  although  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  cannot  be- 
come one  of  us." 

The  two  leading  Odd  Fellow  journals,  the  "Heart 
and  Hand,"  then  edited  by  Wm.  H.  Barnes,  New 
York,  and  the  "New  Age,"  (a)  edited  by  Samuel 
York  at  Lee,  (b)  published  column  after  column 
for  and  against  the  admittance  of  the  colored 
people. 

"It  is  the  question  of  the  day,"  wrote  Lee. 

"The  Grand  Lodge  of  the  United  States 
must  do  one  of  two  things;  either  strike 
out  of  the  ritual  its  invocation  of  universal 
brotherhood,  or  carry  its  principles  into 
practice." 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  39 

Editor  Lee,  advocating  the  same  doctrine  as  his 
predecessor,  Frank  Austin,  (c)  was  a  simon  pure 
disciple  of  Fatlicr  >\'ihl('v,  and  when' the  San  Fran- 
cisco "Post"  calhd  upon  liini  to  exprc^ss  liis  b(^iief, 
Lt^  replied: 

"That  if  a  pei*son  was  tw(^nty-one  years  of 
age,  of  good  moral  cliaracter,  and  a  be- 
liever in  the  Su])renu'  H(  iiig,  lie  would  wel- 
come him  as  a  brother,  whether  his  color 
was  white,  black,  green  or  yellow." 

The  editor  of  the  "Heart  and  Hand,"  who  had 
been  through  childhood's  years  a  resident  of  the 
South,  strongly  opposed  any  change  of  law  that 
would  admit  the  colored  race,  and  in  an  editorial, 
February,  1872,  he  wrote : 

"We  are  opposed  in  toto,  from  bej^nning  to 
end,  to  any  change  of  law  that  will  admit 
to  membership  in  our  Order,  of  any  other 
than  are  now  provided  for,  in  this  or  any 
other  countr3^  If  other  countries  want 
our  Order  as  we  have  it,  well  and  good. 
If  it  has  to  change  in  any  essential  point, 
to  go  into  any  land,  we  are  opposed  to 
such  extension." 

We  are  writing  outside  of  the  scope  of  our  work, 
but  as  Wm.  H.  BariK  s  lias  for  more  than  a  quarter 
of  a  century  been  an  editor  and  prominent  h  adcr  in 
California  Odd  Fellowship,  I  knew  lliat  liis  views 
upon  this  question  would  be  of  interest 


40 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 


The  California  Grand  Lodge  has  ne\'er  favored 
the  admittance  of  either  the  Chinese,  Pol^^nesians 
or  negro  race,  and  when  in  1874  Representative 
Pensam  offered  a  resolution  that  our  Grand  Repre- 
sentatives be  instructed  to  urge  upon  the  S.  G.  L.  to 
strike  out  the  word  "Avhite"  from  the  constitution, 
tlie  resolution  was  indefinitely  postponed. 


SACRAMENTO   IN   1850: 
The  Home  of  Morse,  Haswell,  Hueston  and  Harmon. 


CALIF'ORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  4l 

(a)  The  New  Age,  which  is  the  oldest  fraternal  journal  in 
A,merica,  was  first  issued  as  a  weekly  January  1st,  1865,  by 
W.  W.  Boughton,  the  subscription  price  being  $5.00  a  year. 
The  new  paper  was  favorably  received  by  the  brothers,  and 
the  G.  L.  adopted  Grand  Master  McClelland's  recommendation 
and  took  such  action  as  would  "aid  the  publisher  in  his  laud- 
able efforts  to  disseminate  the  principles  of  Odd  Fellowship." 

The  New  Age  was  not  a  money-maker,  by  any  means,  and 
as  a  result,  passing  through  several  different  hands,  in  Jan- 
uary, 1875,  it  was  issued  by  the  Odd  Fellows  Publishing  Cond- 
pany.  W.  F.  Norcross  then  purchased  and  managed  the  paper, 
the  price  in  the  meantime  having  been  reduced  to  $3.00  a  year, 
with  the  privilege  of  obtaining  the  two  journals,  the  NeW  Ag^ 
and  the  Heart  and  Hand,  published  in  New  York  and  edited 
by  Wm.  H.  Barnes,  for  $4.00  per  annum. 

The  New  Age,  up  to  this  time,  had  been  the  official  organ 
of  the  Grand  Lodge,  but  .January  8,  1874,  a  rival  appeared,  the 
Pacific  Odd  Fellow;  then  there  was  trouble.  The  new  paper 
endeavored  to  obtain  the  official  recognition  and  endorsement 
of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  the  result  was  a  resolution  adopted 
"that  no  person  shall  be  authorized  to  designate  any  news- 
paper as  the  official  or  other  organ  of  this  Grand  Lodge." 

The    rival    paper    soon    passed    out   of   existence,    but    the 

New  Age  lived  on,  the  proprietor,  as  A.  M.  Winn  said,  "barely 

making  a  living  by  hard  work  and  strict  economy."    in  1885  a 

corporation  was  organized,  it  being  expected  that  the  lodges 

would  take  stock.     The  expectation  was  only  a  dream. 

Then  the  publishing  house  of  Dewey  &  Co.  believed  that 
they  had  a  plan  that  would  make  not  only  the  New  Age,  but 
all  of  their  society  papers  a  success.  They  had  been  publish- 
ing the  A.  O.  U.  W.,  the  K.  of  P.  and  Masonic  journals,  and  it 
was  their  plan  to  give  each  society  a  weekly  issue,  the  Odd 
Fellows  number  to  appear  thus  "The  Illustrated  Pacific  States 
I.  O.  O.  F.  Edition."  The  experiment  was  a  flat  failure,  and  as 
the  publishers  had  taken  the  insignia  of  the  Order  without 
legal  authority,  Grand  Master  Lloyd  directed  the  Grand  Sec- 
retary to  request  the  publishers  "to  refrain  from  calling  it  the 
organ  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F." 

Dewey  still  retaining  the  plant,  it  was  again  published 
under  its  original  name,  with  W.  F.  Norcross  at  the  helm, 
until  1891,  and  at  that  time  Past  Grand  Alexander  said  in  the 
prelude  to  his  resolution:  "The  New  Age  has  recently  come 
under  the  editorial  management  of  that  veteran  fraternal 
journalist,  Wm.  H.  Barnes;  and  be  it  resolved  that  the  New 
Age  is  hereby  cordially  recommended  to  the  continued  favor- 
able support  of  the  Order." 

Wm.  H.  Barnes  at  this  time  had  been  some  fourteen  years 
In  California,  engaged  in  newspaper  work  on  the  New  Age  and 
the  San  Francisco  Call,  he  editing  for  several  years  the  frater- 
nal columns  of  that  daily.  It  was  his  suggestion,  and  dates 
from  April,  1878.    In  1896  he  purchased  from  the  Dewey  Co. 


42  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

the  New  Age  plant,  and  since  that  time,  at  the  extremely  low 
price  of  $1.00  a  year,  he  has  been  sending  forth  messages  of 
love  and  peace  to  all  the  world. 

(b)  Samuel  York,  at  Lee,  being  a  personal  friend  of  Daniel 
Norcross,  he  came  from  his  Washington  home,  1873,  expressly 
to  edit  the  New  Age.  He  was  a  notable  writer,  leading  lawyer, 
and  high  in  fraternal  society.  Born  in  Ohio  in  1809,  at  the  age 
of  25  he  was  installed  as  Grand  Master  of  Ohio.  Appointed 
as  Postmaster  of  San  Francisco  in  1848,  the  ill  health  of  his 
wife  prevented  him  from  accepting  that  position,  and  it  also 
deprived  him  of  the  high  honor  of  being  the  founder  of 
Masonry  on  the  Pacific  Coast. 

(c)  Frank  Austin  wrote  in  1868:  "Odd  Fellowship  has  a 
great  and  important  work  to  perform.  *  *  *  But  in  order 
to  render  it  what  it  should  be,  and  in  any  manner  serviceable 
to  the  world  at  large,  it  must  be  universal  salvation.  This  is 
what  we  proclaim  to  be  the  objects  of  Odd  Fellowship.  Then, 
in  the  name  of  God,  let  there  be  no  obstacles  thrown  in  the 

way  by  individuals  or  bodies.  When  the  S.  G.  L.  shall  adopt 
proper  measures  *  *  *  china  will  behold  our  temples 
adorning  the  Celestial  Empire,  and  we  will  go  forth  to 
enlighten,  civilize  and  Christianize  the  benighted  millions  of 
heathen  lands." 


CHAMEU  IIL 

*nid  Odd  Fellows'  natal  day — Stockton  celebrates  the 
anniversary — First  observance  of  day — Sacramento  dedicates 
a  hall — Oration  of  Newton  Booth — Memorial  service  to 
Thomas  Wildey— San  Francisco  dedicates  a  new  hall — The 
visit  of  Schuler  Colfax— He  confers  the  Rebekah  degree — 
Presented  with  a  handsome  cane — The  Odd  Fellows'  San 
Francisco  library — "To  bury  the  dead"— Dedication  of  Odd 
Fellows'  cemetery — Sudden  death  of  Parker — Corner  stone  of 
Parker  monument. 

The  anniversary  day  of  American  Odd  Fellow- 
ship, April  26tli,  is  now  annually  celebrated 
throughout  the  Odd  Fellow's  world,  but  it  was  not 
generally  honored  until  1859,  the  Sovereign  Gpand 
Lodge,  the  previous  year,  recommending  its  obser- 
vance. 

In  accordance  with  the  Grand  Sire's  recommen- 
dation, as  reported  in  the  Eastern  newspapers,  (for 
they  received  no  official  notice  on  this  Coast  of  said 
recommendation).  Grand  Master  Van  Bokkelen 
issued  his  proclamation  Januaiy  20,  1859,  "for  a 
day  of  thanksgiving  and  rejoicing."  "Each  and 
every  lodge  observed  the  day  with  appropriate  cere- 
monies," said  the  Grand  Mastx^r,  the  San  I^^'rancisco 
lodges  dedicating  ^lineiTa  Hall  t/)  the  us(^  and  pur- 
poses of  the  Order.  The  Marysville  Odd  Fellows 
also  deflicated  a  hall  in  their  splendid  |1 0,000  stone 
building,  the  members  of  Yuba  and  Oriental  Lodges, 
unassisted,  paying  for  the  building. 


44  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

The  Stockton  lodges  had  dedicated  a  liall  four 
years  previous,  1855,  Samuel  H.  Parker  delivering 
the  oration,  and  they  celebrated  the  fortieth  anni- 
versary with  great  enthusiasm.  The  brethren,  in 
full  regalia,  marched  the  streets  of  the  city,  led  l)y 
a  band  of  music,  then  marching  into  tlie  Stockton 
Theater,  where  the  literary  exercises  of  the  day 
were  held.  The  President  of  the  Day  was  O.  O. 
Burton.  A.  C.  Bradford  read  tlie  Grand  Master's 
proclamation,  and  Nathan  Porter  delivered  the 
oration.  After  singing  the  closing  ode,  the  Odd 
Fellows  reformed  in  line  and  marched  to  the  City 
Hall,  where  a  splendid  banquet  was  in  readiness. 
The  walls  were  handsomely  decorated  with  the 
flags,  banners  and  emblems  of  the  Order,  and  a 
large  number  of  toasts  were  offered,  Nathan  Porter, 
A.  C.  Bradford,  C.  O.  Burton  and  many  others  re- 
sponding. In  the  evening  the  festivities  closed  with 
a  grand  ball,  the  Odd  Fellows  dancing  all  night, 
until  the  broad  day  light. 

A  few  California  lodges  had  celebrated  the  day 
previous  to  this  time,  among  them  the  Stockton 
lodges.  Charity  and  Stockton,  they  being  the  first 
in  the  State  to  celebrate  the  natal  day.  We  need 
no  higher  authority  on  this  point  than  Past  Grand 
Master  Parker,  he  in  a  letter  to  the  Stockton 
brothers,  April  20,  1859,  saying : 

"I  well  know  tliat  the  brothers  of  the  City 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  45 

of  Stockton  were  the  first  on  the  Pacific 
Coast  to  recognize  the  anniversary  of  Odd 
Fellowship  in  the  United  States,  as  early 
as  1853.  I  had  the  pleasure  of  uniting 
with  the  brothers  on  that  day." 

Parker  had  another  pleasure  in  tlie  following 
3  ear — that  of  tiiking  part  in  the  dedication  of  an 
Odd  Fellows'  hall  at  Sacramento,  the  first  dedicated 
liall  in  the  State.  The  brothei*s  of  that  city  Avere 
liustlers,  not  onl^^  in  business,  but  in  fraternal  work, 
and  so  rapidly  did  tlieir  membership  increase  they 
v.ere  compelle<l  to  move  four  times,  the  last  time  to 
the  Bennett  building,  on  J  street,  between  Second 
and  Front.  There  they  fitted  up  a  fine  hall,  and 
November  13th,  1854,  it  was  dedicated.  The 
brothers  of  the  three  lodges  assembled  at  their  old 
hall,  the  Stanford  building,  on  K  street,  paraded 
the  principal  streets  of  the  city,  thousands  of  men 
crowding  the  sidewalks  and  saluting  as  the  proces- 
sion passed  by.  On  arrival  at  tlie  new  building  tlie 
Odd  Fellows  ascended  to  the  hall,  and  the  dis- 
tinguisIuMi  guests  from  San  Francisco,  among  them 
Saiuuel  n.  Parker,  Daniel  Norcross,  T.  Rodgei*s 
Johnson,  P.  B.  Dexter,  A.  S.  Iredale  and  A.  J.  A. 
Bohen,  were  given  seats  on  the  platform.  Grand 
Master  Morse  then  called  the  assembly  to  order, 
and  Grand  Chaplain  Shuck  offennl  prayer,  follow(*d 
by  the  singing  of  the  ode  "In  God  We  Trust."  After 


46  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

the  singing  of  a  hymn  by  the  Congregational 
Church  choir,  the  interesting  ceremonies  of  dedica- 
tion were  performed  by  the  Grand  Master.  The 
orator  of  this  event  was  Newton  Booth,  a  Past 
Grand  of  Sacramento,  No.  2,  and  later  on  a  very 
prominent  figure  in  politics  as  Governor  and  United 
States  Senator. 

It  was  the  first  Odd  Fellows  oration  e^er  de- 
livered in  California,  and  Brother  Booth  in  com- 
mencing his  oration,  said: 

"Less  than  seven  years  ago  this  spot  was  a 
wilderness.  The  grizzly  bear  Avas  lord  of 
the  soil;  the  Digger  Indian  took  his  fish 
from  the  river  and  corralled  his  grass- 
hoppers unmolested. 

"The  first  of  the  noble  old  pioneers,  and  a 
single  house,  were  the  only  precursors  of 
the  thronging  life  and  bustling  business 
of  today.  Less  than  four  years  ago  the 
first  lodge  was  organized,  and  its  institu- 
tion was  an  experiment. 
"But  through  all  the  vicissitudes  of  our 
cit^'^s  history,  through  fire,  riot,  lynch  law 
and  pestilence  the  progress  of  our  Order 
has  been  steady,  and  we  have  met  today  to 
dedicate  this  new,  fine  hall,  its  elegant 
furniture  and  adornments,  to  the  purposes 
of  friendship,  to  works  of  benevolence — to 
the  principles  of  Friendship,  Love  and 
Truth." 
The   orator   in   his   splendid   address   eulogized 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  47 

Thomas  AN'ildey,  then  iu  the  decline  of  life,  express- 
ing the  wish  that  he  might  long  live  to  enjoy  the 
fruits  of  his  labor.  Wildey's  allotted  time  on  earth, 
however,  was  but  three  score  and  ten,  and  strange 
as  it  may  appear,  the  first  message  over  the  continu- 
ous overland  telegraph  line  announced  the  death  of 
Colonel  E.  D.  Baker,  the  second  message — 

"October  19th,  Thomas  Wildey,  the  father 
of  American  Odd  Fellowship,  died  today.'' 

Til  is  was  sad  news  for  many  of  the  Odd  Fellows 
in  tlie  far  West,  for  many  had  intimately  known 
AVildey,  some  even  having  been  initiated  into  the 
Order  by  him.     (a) 

A  memorial  service  in  honor  of  his  memory  was 
hchl  in  Piatt's  Uall  Sunday,  November  24tli,  1861, 
which  was  attended  by  Odd  Fellows  from  all  parts 
of  Central  California,  The  brethren,  nearly  1000  in 
numl>er,  assembling  at  their  hall  on  the  corner  of 
Kusli  and  Kearney  streets,  marched  to  Piatt's  Hall, 
(nich  brother  Avearing  black  crepe  upon  his  left  arm 
and  a  satin  badge  stamped  with  a  portrait  of  Wildey 
pinned  to  the  lapel  of  his  coat.  The  Rev.  Samuel  C. 
Thrall  and  W.  F.  B.  Jackson  led  the  procession, 
dressed  in  their  canonical  robes.  Great  prepara- 
tions were  made  for  this  service,  two  and  a  half 
hours  in  length.  A  first-class  chorus,  orchestra  and 
solo  singers  were  present,  and  under  the  director- 
ship of  Rudolph  Herold  they  rendered  the  chorus 


48  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

from  St.  Paul,  and  Mozart's  requiem — that  sublime 
composition  composed  by  him  just  before  his  death 
— the  solo  parts  being  sustained  by  the  famous 
singers  of  that  day,  Agatha  States,  Mrs.  Leach  and 
().  Keefe  and  Stephen  Leach  and  Jacob  Stadfeldt. 
The  assembly  being  called  to  order,  the  Chaplain 
recited  the  Lord's  prayer.  The  opening  ode  was 
then  sung,  followed  by  responsive  Scripture  read- 
ings by  the  Chaplain  and  the  brethren. 

The  eulogy  was  delivered  by  Past  Grand  Master 
Parker,  and  in  his  first  words,  calling  attention  to 
the  death  of  Colonel  E.  D.  Baker,  California's 
favorite  son,  at  Ball's  Bluff,  he  said : 


iir^^ 


The  lightning  speaks.  Its  first  flash 
across  the  continent  brings  us  the  sad 
tidings  of  a  soldier's  death. 

"He  sleeps  his  last  sleep. 
He  has  fought  his  last  battle; 
No  sound  shall  awake  him  to  gioi'y  again. 

^The  lightning  speaks.  Its  second  flash 
brings  us  the  sad  tidings  of  death.  Past 
Grand  Sire  Thomas  Wildey,  the  great 
father  and  founder  of  American  Odd  Fel- 
lowship, is  no  more.  *  *  *  The  Order 
which  he  has  founded  has  been  established 
in  every  State;  his  work  has  been  accom- 
plished, and  like  Simeon  of  old,  he  could 
have  long  since  looked  upon  his  i>ast  life 
and  said,  ^Lord,  now  lettest  thy  servant 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  49 

dei>ai*t  ill  peace;  for  mine  eves  have  seen 
the  glory  of  thy  salvation'." 

That  the  California  Odd  Fellows  held  in  high 
esteem  their  "great  father"  was  proven  four  years 
later,  and  "in  the  undying  offering  of  thousands  of 
Odd  FelloAvs,"  as  llidgely  put  it,  a  magnificent 
marble  shaft  was  erected  in  Baltimore  to  the 
memory  of  Wildey.  California  contributed  more 
than  any  other  State  in  the  Union,  |3,000 ;  Pennsyl- 
vania, $1,500,  was  second  on  the  list.  This  beautiful 
shaft  was  destroyed  in  the  great  Baltimore  fire. 

Another  red-letter  day  in  the  history  of  the  San 
Francisco  Order  was  the  dedication.  May  6th,  1863, 
of  a  second  Odd  Fellows'  hall.  The  Order  had  out- 
grown the  limits  of  Minerva  Hall,  and  the  Board  of 
Directors,  purchasing  the  Academy  of  Music,  cor- 
ner of  Montgomery  and  Somers  streets,  afterwards 
the  Chronicle  building,  of  John  C.  Tucker,  the 
famous  jeweler,  had  remodelled  it  at  a  cost  of 
$110,000,  and  fitted  up  and  frescoed  three  handsome 
halls,  dedicating  them  to  Covenant,  Parker  and 
Wildey. 

At  the  sunrise,  noon  and  sunset  hour  a  salute  of 
forty-four  guns  was  fircnl  from  the  top  of  Telegraph 
Hill,  "and  the  flags  from  the  shipping  and  build- 
ings" and  "the  splendid  triumphal  arch  on  Mont- 
gomei-y  str(*et  denoted  that  it  was,  indei*d,  a  gala 
day  in  California." 


50  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

The  procession,  consisting  of  some  5,000  Odd 
Fellows  from  all  parts  of  the  State  and  from 
Nevada,  '^as  it  filed  along  Montgomery  street,  from 
^larket  to  Washington,  seemed  the  most  gorgeous 
pageant  we  have  ever  witnessed,"  said  an  enthus- 
iastic reporter.  The  parade  was  led  by  Company  C, 
of  the  National  Guard,  and  the  brethren  marched 
to  the  music  of  four  bands,  among  them  the  most 
famous  band  of  that  time,  the  U.  S.  Ninth  Infantry. 

The  literary  exercises  held  in  the  Metropolitan 
Theater,  Washington  street,  the  building  crowded 
to  overflowing,  consisted  of  prayer  by  the  Grand 
Chaplain,  the  singing  of  two  odes  by  the  brethren, 
an  oration  by  John  D.  Dwinelle,  and  an  original 
poem  by  Charles  A.  Sumner,  of  Templar,  No.  17, 
then  court  reporter  and  tlie  best  stenographer  in 
California.  The  poem  was  quite  lengthy  and  it 
concluded  in  the  following  lines: 

"And  brothers,  all  unite  in  earnest  prayer, 
That  this  grand  work  may  have  a  heavenly 

care; 
That  with  the  Father's  blessing  this  Order 

may  increase, 
Whose  ways  are  ways  of  pleasantness  and 

all  whose  paths  are  peace." 

The  benediction  w^as  then  pronounced  and  the 
procession  reforming,  marched  to  the  new  halls, 
wliere  the  Grand  Master,  J.  A.  J.  Bohen,  dedicated 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  51 

them  to  Odd  Fello>\'sliip.  The  celebration  con- 
cluded with  a  ^*and  ball  in  Union  Hall.  And  over 
4,000  "ladies  and  the  brotherhood"  danced  until  the 
dawn  of  day. 

Twenty-one  years  passed  along  before  San  Fran- 
cisco saw  the  dedication  of  another  imposing  build- 
ing, and  during  those  years  many  interesting  events 
took  place,  among  them  the  arrival,  Jul^^  4th,  1865, 
of  Schuler  Colfax,  an  Odd  Fellow  of  high  standing, 
and  the  creator  of  the  Kebekah  degree.  From  the 
time  of  his  arrival  at  Placerville,  in  the  first  over- 
land stage  to  cross  the  continent,  to  the  hour  of  his 
d(?parture,  through  the  Golden  Gate,  he  Avas  enthus- 
iastically received,  not  only  as  a  representative  Odd 
Fellow,  but  as  one  of  the  first  citizens  of  the  land. 
Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives  and  leader 
of  the  Republican  party,     (b) 

Colfax  traveled  extensively  over  the  Pacific  Coast 
in  search  of  knowledge  regarding  its  resources,  and 
in  every  city  he  visited  he  received  from  the  citizens 
and  Odd  Fellows  a  royal  welcome,  because  of  his 
gran<l  work  and  his  great  love  for  the  Order.  Above 
all  worhlly  honors  he  placed  Odd  Fellowship,  and 
u[x>n  his  retirement  from  the  office  of  Vice-President 
of  the  United  States  he  declared — 

"This  ccmntry  has  conferred  many  honors 
upon  me,  but  I  would  not  exchange  all  of 
them  today  for  that  good  standing  in  Odd 


52  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

Fellowship,  of  which,  for  nearly  a  quarter 
of  a  century,  I  have  been  so  justly  proud." 

Whenever  time  and  place  would  permit,  Colfax 
visited  lodges,  delivered  addresses — he  was  one  of 
tlie  ablest  orators  in  America — and  conferred  the 
"woman's  degree,"  as  it  was  then  called,  upon 
hundreds  of  brothers  and  their  wives.  The  degree 
in  San  Francisco,  which  is  still  a  most  pleasant 
memory  with  those  then  present,  was  conferred 
August  19th,  in  Covenant  Hall,  and  Colfax  himself, 
writing  of  this  event  sixteen  years  later,  said : 

"I  can  never  forget  the  unparalleled  meet- 
ing of  the  degree  of  Rebekah,  at  Dashaway 
Hall,  where  with  seven  Sentinels,  and 
twelve  hundred  present,  four  hundred  of 
them  ladies,  I  conferred  the  degree,  on 
seventy-five  wives  and  widows  of  my 
brethren."     (c) 

During  his  visit  Colfax,  in  Piatt's  Hall,  San 
Francisco,  delivered  a  lecture  on  Odd  Fellowship, 
before  an  immense  mass  meeting  of  Odd  FelloAvs. 
August  17th  he  was  tenderc^l  a  dinner  by  the  Six 
Chinese  Companies.  Two  weeks  later,  August  31st, 
he  was  given,  by  the  citizens,  a  farewell  banquet 
and  ball,  in  the  Occidental  Hotel.  Six  hundred 
plates  were  set,  with  tickets  at  |25.00  each.  On  the 
evening  previous  to  his  departure  by  steamer  for 
the  East,  he  was  presented  by  the  brethren  with  a 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  53 

beautiful  gold-lieaded  cane,  valued  at  f 200. 00,  the 
head  being  set  with  quartz  from  nine  separate 
mines. 

The  following  morning  he  sailed  on  the  Panama 
steamer,  thousands  bidding  him  God  speed. 

Colfax  again  visited  California  with  the  Sover- 
eign Grand  Lodge  in  1869,  and  later,  1878,  June 
14th,  in  Piatt's  Hall,  he  delivered  his  famous  lec- 
ture on  Abraham  Lincoln,  for  the  benefit  of  the  San 
Francisco  Library  Association. 

This  library,  now  a  thing  of  memory  only,  was 
tlie  great  project  of  Parker.  He  believed  that  noth- 
ing would  have  a  greater  tendency  to  build  up  Odd 
Fellowship  and  give  it  a  high  moral  tone  than  a 
good  librarj^,  and  he  declared — 

"An  Odd  Fellow  may  have  taken  care  of  the 
sick,  ♦  *  ♦  but  if  he  has  not  given 
this  department  of  Odd  Fellowship  his 
mite,  that  at  least  one  book  ma^'^  be  added 
to  the  intellectual  storehouse  of  our  Order, 
then  he  lacked  one  thing  yet  to  nuike  liim- 
self  a  perfect  Odd  Fellow." 

In  a  closet  5x6,  adjoining  the  lodge  room,  the 
library  was  esUiblished  in  1854,  each  member  bring- 
ing a  lH)()k.  A  Board  of  Directors  was  api)()intc(l 
to  take  charge  of  the  work,  and  at  the  tinu*  of 
Parker's  death  they  had  a  library  of  14,000  volumes, 
valued  at  $33,475.  The  increase  of  the  volunu^  was 
rapid,  and  twenty  years  later,  1887,  tliey  liad  some 


54  CALlFOtolA   ODD   ^ELLOWSttll*. 

40,000  volumes,  many  of  them  costly  and  rare.  The 
rooms  also  contained  several  very  valuable  cabinets 
of  minerals  and  curios. 

Parker  at  his  death  willed  |2,500  to  the  library, 
to  be  kept  on  interest  until  principal  and  interest 
amounted  to  |5,000.  The  library  was  sustained  by 
various  means — concerts,  lectures  and  picnics,  a 
monster  picnic  being  given  August  7th,  1878,  at 
Woodward's  Garden.  It  was  also  supported  by 
individual  and  lodge  subscriptions,  each  lodge  at 
one  time  paying  |2.00  quarterly  per  member.  The 
library  was  the  best  and  most  complete  of  any 
library  in  the  State,  especially  in  California  litera- 
ture, but  when  the  Free  Library  was  established, 
its  finish  was  in  sight.  In  the  Grand  Lodge,  1897, 
the  year  the  library  closed  its  doors,  efforts  were 
made  to  have  that  body  pass  a  law  taxing  the  San 
Francisco  lodges  for  the  support  of  the  library. 
Representative  Polack,  of  No.  29,  introducing  the 
resolution.  The  Lodge  declared  it  had  no  power  to 
levy  such  a  tax. 

In  the  earliest  days  even,  as  today,  one  of  the 
most  important  duties  of  Odd  Fellowship  is  "to 
bury  the  dead,''  for  thus  we  are  commanded.  Unfor- 
tunately, however,  for  many  years  the  Odd  Fellows 
dwelling  in  the  towns  were  compelled  to  bury  their 
deceased  brothers  in  grounds  set  apart  by  the 
authorities.     This    was    unfortunate,    for    in    the 


CALIFORNIA    ODD   FELLOWSHIP.  55 

rapidly  growing  towns  the  graveyards  were  often 
moved  from  place  to  place  (d),  and  the  burial  spot 
of  today  became  a  place  of  business  or  travel  to- 
morrow. 

To  prevent  any  further  desecration  of  the  Odd 
Fellow  dead,  the  brothers  of  San  Jose,  Sacramento, 
Vallejo,  Stockton,  San  Francisco  and  the  mining 
camps  purchased  plats  of  earth,  and  beautifying 
them  with  plants  and  flowers,  there  laid  to  rest  their 
dead. 

The  first  cemetery  dedicated  to  the  purposes  of 
Odd  Fellowship,  so  far  as  the  record  shows,  was  the 
Odd  Fellows'  cemetery,  San  Francisco.  As  early 
as  1854  Templar  Lodge  took  up  a  subscription  for 
that  purpose,  and  in  the  following  year  they  gave 
notice  to  the  San  Francisco  lodges  that  Templar 
Tjodge  "designs  to  proceed  in  the  matter  of  estab- 
lishing an  Odd  Fellows'  cemetery."  No  further 
action  seems  to  have  been  taken  regarding  this 
matter  until  August,  1865,  at  which  time  Yerba 
Buena  Tx)dge  purchased  a  plot  of  ground  twenty- 
eight  acres  "on  the  western  slope  of  Lone  Mountain, 
on  the  south  side  of  the  Point  Lobos  road,"  at  a  cost 
of  $300.00  per  acre.  As  the  grounds  were  too  large 
for  the  burials  of  one  lodge  alone,  it  soon  passed 
into  the  hands  of  an  Odd  Fellows'  Association. 
They  planted  trees,  shrubs  and  flowers,  and  in  time 
it  l)ecame  the  most  beautiful  spot  in  San  Francisco. 


56  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

Additional  acres  were  purchased  in  1879  and  a  third 
tract  in  1886,  with  a  good  supply  of  water.  Then 
the  city  limits  were  extended  beyond  the  burial 
grounds,  and  finally,  after  several  years  of  litiga- 
tion, a  city  ordinance  was  declared  valid,  prohibit- 
ing any  further  burials  after  August,  1901. 

In  this  cemetery  lie  buried  many  of  our  most 
honored  dead,  among  them  Parker,  Bohen,  Morse, 
Porter,  Farnsworth,  Johnson,  and  hundreds  more 
of  true  Odd  Fellows.  On  November  24th,  1865,  it 
was  dedicated  "to  the  social  purposes  and  uses  of 
the  dead  of  the  Order."  The  grounds  were  dedi- 
cated by  Grand  Master  C.  O.  Burton,  he  being  intro- 
duced by  the  President  of  the  Association,  Charles 
Langley.  The  oration  was  delivered  by  John  F. 
Morse,  he  declaring  that  in  San  Franrlsco,  even 
the  dead  were  obliged  to  pay  toll,     (e) 

In  the  eastern  part  of  the  cemetery  there  lies  a 
high  mound  now  known  as  "Parker's  Hill."  Upon 
this  hill,  March  16th,  1866,  stood  two  Past  Grand 
Masters,  Samuel  H.  Parker  and  his  most  beloved 
brother,  J.  A.  J.  Bohen.  It  was  a  commanding 
position  and  a  most  inspiring  view  that  lay  before 
them.  Parker,  strong  and  in  the  best  of  health, 
turning  to  Bohen,  then  dying  of  consumption,  ex- 
claimed :  "Here  must  be  laid  the  first  Grand  Master 
that  dies  in  this  jurisdiction."  They  returned  to 
the  city  and  in  a  few  short  hours  Parker  was  dead 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  67 

—fatty  degeneration  of  the  heart.  He  had  returned 
to  the  hotel,  the  Lick  House,  and  while  descending 
the  stairs  to  dinner,  sank  to  the  floor  and  immed- 
iately expired. 

It  was  a  severe  loss  to  the  Order,  this  kind  and 
gentle  brother,  who,  "without  a  selfish  thought," 
\\a&  constantly  doing  for  the  good  of  those  around 
him,  and  deeply  grieved  were  the  7,000  Odd  Fellows 
of  California.  His  body  lay  in  state  in  Covenant 
Hall,  and  March  18th  a  short  funeral  service  was 
held.  The  rector  of  the  Episcopal  Church,  John 
Goodwin,  of  which  Parker  was  a  prominent  mem- 
l)er,  read  the  burial  service,  '^I  am  the  resurrection 
and  the  life,"  and  the  '^twelve"  from  Apollo  Lodge, 
No.  123,  sang  several  chants  and  hymns.  The 
funeral  cortege  was  then  formed,  the  Past  Grand 
Master  resting  upon  a  catalfaque,  and  to  the  solemn 
strains  of  thirty  musicians  the  subordinate  lodges, 
encampments  and  friends,  numbering  nearly  1,200, 
marched  to  the  cemetery,  where  the  burial  services 
of  the  Order  were  read. 

They  buried  him  upon  the  crest  of  the  hill  where 
he  declared  the  first  Grand  Master  dying  should  be 
buried,  and  three  years  later,  November  17th,  1869, 
the  Order  laid  the  cornerstone  for  a  splendid  marble 
shaft,  a  tribute  of  love  from  the  brethren.  From  the 
noon  hour  until  the  time  appointed  for  the  cere- 
mony the  cars  were  crowded  witli  people  hurrying 
to  the  "Silent  City."  When  the  hcmr  of  2  was  at 
hand,  George  M.  Garwood,  chairman  of  the  Monu- 
ment Committee,  introduced  the  Rev.  F.  Dillon 
Eagon,  who  offered  prayer.    The  choir  then  sang  an 


58  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

appropriate  selection,  and  the  cornerstone,  contain- 
ing many  historical  papers  regarding  the  Order, 
was  sealed  by  Grand  Master  Fox,  he  using  for  that 
purpose  a  trowel  made  of  solid  silver,  handsomely 
chased  with  the  emblems  of  the  Order.  In  May, 
1902,  Past  Grand  Master  Fox  presented  this  trowel 
to  the  Grand  Lodge.  The  ceremony  over,  Nathan 
Porter  delivered  a  splendid  oration  regarding  the 
ancient  and  modern  custom  of  erecting  memorials 
over  the  beloved  dead. 

(a)  John  Wasley,  a  charter  member  of  Scio  Lodge, 
No.  102,  was  initiated  by  Thomas  Wildey  in  1837  at  Mineral 
Point,  Wisconsin. 

Another  brother,  Wm.  Childs,  of  Salinas  Lodge,  No.  152, 
was  a  member  of  Washington  Lodge,  No.  1,  in  1828,  and 
Wildey  was  then  the  acting  Past  Grand. 

Of  the  "old  guard"  was  Wm.  Attilier,  a  charter  member 
of  Yosemite  Lodge,  No.  97.  He  was  initiated  in  1819  in  Frank- 
lin Lodge,  No.  2,  Baltimore;  and  he  was  employed  making 
cartridges  at  Fort  Henry,  1812,  when  Francis  Key,  then  a 
prisoner  on  a  British  ship,  composed  the  "Star  Spangled 
Banner."  Attilier  came  to  California  in  1849,  settled  at  Big 
Oak  Flat,  organized  the  Yosemite  Lodge,  and  died  in  1878 
from  severe  burns  received  when  his  cabin  caught  fire.  His 
portrait  hangs  in  the  lodge  room,  he  wearing  his  original 
regalia,  apron  and  collar. 

(b)  "Colfax,"  says  the  historian,  Rufus  Wilson,  "sat  in  the 
Jiouse  for  fourteen  years;  was  thrice  chosen  Speaker,  each 
time  by  an  increased  majority ;  and  when  he  retired  from  that 
post  it  was  to  become  Vice-President  under  Grant.  He  was 
long  one  of  the  most  popular  men  in  public  life,  and  he  merited 
both  esteem  and  good  will,  for  his  hands  were  always  open,  his 
aims  high  and  his  methods  humble." 

(c)  His  visit  in  Sacramento  was  notable,  as  the  four 
lodges  held  a  special  meeting  in  the  Assembly  chamber  of  the 
State  Capitol  to  welcome  Colfax.  He  conferred  the  Rebekah 
degree  upon  twenty-four  wives  and  forty  brothers,  and  at  the 
close  of  the  interesting  session  a  banquet  was  spread  in  the 
Senate  chamber. 

(d)  In  San  Francisco,  the  first  burial  place  was  Russian 
Hill,  and  when  the  increasing  population  demanded  more  room, 
the  bones  and  bodies  were  shoveled  in  carts  and  dumped  into 
ditches  dug  in  Yerba  Buena  cemetery,  now  the  site  of  the 
City  Hall. 

The  first  Stockton  graveyard  is  now  the  site  of  the  County 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 


59 


Jail.      There   the   first   deceased    Odd   Fellow   was   buried,   a 
brother  from  the  mountains.     His  burial  led  indirectly  to  the 
Institution  of  Charity,  No.  6,  one  year  later. 

(e)  The  toll  house  was  located  on  the  top  of  the  hill,  this 
being  the  old  Cliff  House  road.  The  toll  was  $1.00  for  each 
two-horse  hack  or  carriage,  and  50  cents  for  a  single-horse 
vehicle.  In  1870  a  reduction  to  funerals  was  made.  The 
hearse  and  two  carriages  were  permitted  to  pass  free;  extra 
carriages,  20  cents  for  two  horses,  and  10  cents  for  a  buggy. 
The  road,  constructed  of  macadam,  twenty-four  feet  wide  and 
six  miles  in  length,  was  built  by  Buckley  and  others  at  a  cost 
of  $40,000. 


^g^-?-r5?5Sv'E-,  .—•  ■  -  -•^. 


THE  PARKER  MOMiiVlKM,  (From  an  old  print.) 
The  monument  was  erected  by  the  Parker  Monument  Com- 
mittee, consisting  of  Geo.  M.  Garwood,  John  Q.  Piper,  John  A. 
McClelland,  Geo.  T.  Bohen  and  Martin  M.  Heller,  at  a  cost 
complete  of  $8,650,  the  monument  alone  costing  $6,150.  The 
money  was  contributed  by  the  subordinate  lodges  and  the 
encampments,  Templar  giving  $1,000,  Verba  Buena  $500  and 
Charity  No.  6  $50.  The  monument,  37 1^  feet  in  height,  rests 
on  a  hill  100  feet  high.  The  corner  stone  was  laid  November 
17th,  1867,  and  completed  the  following  year. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Firing  on  the  Old  Flag— What  was  its  meaning?— Is  Odd 
Fellowship  a  failure? — Thirty  vacant  chairs — Peace  in  our 
councils — The  representatives'  grand  reunion — A  victory  for 
Odd  Fellowship— Divisions  in  California— Haswell's  strong 
Union  speech — "The  Union  must  and  shall  be  preserved" — The 
dominion  of  peace — Resolutions  on  Lincoln's  death — Grand 
Lodge  refuses  to  endorse  monument  fund — Contributions  to 
Garfield  monument — The  war  for  humanity — Honors  to  Gen- 
eral Lawton — Greetings  to  President  McKinley — Grand  Lodge 
adjourns  to  welcome  President  Roosevelt. 

At  early  dawn  on  the  morning  of  April  12tli, 
1861,  the  battery  in  Charleston  harbor,  under  com- 
mand of  General  Beauregard,  began  firing  upon  the 
Old  Flag,  then  flying  over  Fort  Sumpter. 

What  was  its  meaning?  It  meant  the  secession  of 
the  South  from  the  Union ;  the  separation  of  thous- 
ands of  families ;  a  division  of  religious,  benevolent 
and  other  secret  societies,  and  a  long  and  terrible 
war  between  the  men  of  the  North  and  the  South. 

That  year,  October  19th,  Thomas  Wildey  died. 
Was  his  life  work  a  failure?  His  ideal  of  a  universal 
brotherhood  of  man,  a  visionary  dream,  impossible 
in  its  conception?  So  it  would  seem,  for  now  a 
great  brotherly  war  was  on,  and  in  the  city  where 
Odd  Fellowship  had  its  birth  the  first  blood  of  the 
conflict  was  shed. 

But  Wildey's  life  work  was  not  a  failure.  No! 
Deep  down  in  the  hearts  of  his  disciples  the  fires  of 
Odd  Fellowship  continued  to  brightly  burn.    They 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  61 

piloted  the  good  ship  Odd  Fellow  straight  on  her 
course;  they — 

"Knowing  no  sectional  divisions  and  recog- 
nizing no  geographical  lines,  continued  to 
show  the  world  an  example  of  the  incal- 
culable good  which  may  be  accomplished 
by  an  army  of  Odd  Fellows  marching  on 


THOMAS  WILDEY. 
Thomas  Wildey,  the  founder  of  American  Odd  Fellowship, 
was  born  in  London,  England,  January  15th,  1782.  He  at- 
tended school  until  14  years  of  age,  and  then  learned^  a  trade, 
that  of  coach-spring  maker.  He  was  initiated  into  a' lodge  of 
Odd  Fellows  at  the  age  of  21,  and  during  his  residence  in 
London  he  was  an  active  worker.  Emigrating  to  America  in 
1817,  two  years  later  he  instituted,  April  26th,  1819,  Wash- 
ington Lodge,  No.  1,  Baltimore.  He  was  the  first  Noble 
Grand,  served  twice  as  the  Grand  Master  of  the  Maryland 
Grand  Lodge,  and  four  years  as  the  Grand  Sire  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  United  States. 


62  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

under  the  glorius  banner  of  Friendship, 
Love  and  Truth.'' 

When  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  assembled  at 
Baltimore,  (a)  September,  1861,  Robert  B.  Boyle- 
ston  of  South  Carolina,  the  Grand  Sire,  was  absent, 
(b)  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Herndon  called  the  Lodge 
to  order,  "and  as  he  addressed  the  members  upon 
the  grave  situation  that  faced  them,  thirty  vacant 
chairs  and  unoccupied  desks  stood  before  him."  Ten 
States  failed  to  answer  to  their  names  as  the  roll 
was  called,  for  they  had  seceded,  some  of  them  from 
the  mother  lodge,  expecting,  eventually,  to  form  an 
independent  grand  body  (c). 

The  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  would  not  admit 
that  a  secession  of  Grand  Lodges  was  possible  with- 
out their  consent,  and  as  this  consent  had  not  been 
given,  the  Grand  liOdges  were  therefore  within  the 
jurisdiction  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  body.  Hence, 
it  was,  that  throughout  the  war  our  ranks  remained 
unbroken,  the  only  society  in  the  Nation  not  dis- 
rupted. 

"Peace  ruled  our  councils  and  fraternity 
presided  at  our  meetings.  Each  vacant 
chair  was  jealously  guarded  as  the  symbol 
of  a  living  brother,  and  no  action  was 
taken  without  reference  to  the  wishes  of 
the  distant  brotherhood." 

The  Northern  brethren,  anxious  to  have  their 
Dixie  Land  brothers  return  as  soon  as  i)ossible, 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  63 

"largely  to  hold  open  the  door  for  our  Southern 
brethren,"  elected  as  Grand  Sires,  James  B.  Nichol- 
son of  Pennsylvania,  1862-64,  and  Isaac  M.  Veitch 
of  Missouri,  1864-66,  both  brothers  being  strong 
Southern  sympathisers.  As  soon  as  the  war  closed, 
April  9th,  1865,  Grand  Sire  Veitch  communicated 
\A  ith  all  the  Southern  Grand  Lodges  as  soon  as  pos- 
sible and  called  upon  them  to  elect  their  Sovereign 
Grand  I^rodge  representatives,  to  meet  that  year  in 
Atlanta,  Georgia.  The  North  and  the  South  sent  a 
full  representation,  Wm.  H.  Barnes  from  Georgia 
there  meeting  California's  representatives,  John  B. 
Hill  and  Charles  Marsh.  It  was  one  of  the  grandest 
meetings  ever  held  in  the  Avorld's  history.  The 
Southern  brothers  sat  in  their  seats,  anticipating 
recognition  only,  but  when  the  Grand  body  unani- 
mously passed  a  resolution  not  only  remitting  all 
of  the  S.  G.  L.  dues  of  the  Southern  Grand  Lodges 
for  the  four  previous  years,  but  also  furnishing 
them,  free  of  cost,  all  the  papers  and  books  neces- 
sary to  carry  on  their  work  until  such  time  as  they 
were  able  to  pay  for  the  same.  Their  gratitude  was 
unl>ounded.    One  who  was  present  said : 

"A  scene  of  rejoicing  such  as  was  never  be- 
fore and  has  never  since  been  witnessed  in 
the  Grand  Jjodge  followed  this  action.  It 
was  an  outburst  of  feelings  long  sup- 
press(»d,  and  the  br(^thren  laugh (^1,  shouted 
and  danced.    It  was  a  glad  reunion  of  long 


64  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

separated  brethren,  and  tears  of  joy  filled 
many  manly  eyes  that  were  unused  to 
weeping." 

The  Civil  War  in  its  results  was  a  great  victory 
for  the  doctrine  of  Thomas  Wildey — the  fatherhood 
of  God  and  the  brotherhood  of  man.  It  united  as 
never  before  the  South  and  the  North.  And  it  gave 
to  the  slave  his  freedom,  for  '^He  had  made  of  on^ 
blood  all  nations  of  men,  for  to  dwell  on  the  face 
of  the  earth." 

While  in  the  far  East  the  conflict  was  raging,  we 
here  in  California  heard  no  battle  cry,  saw  no  clash 
of  arms ;  yet,  the  party  lines  were  as  closely  drawn 
as  at  the  seat  of  war,  and  the  brothers  each  took 
sides  for  or  against  the  Union. 

A.  C.  Bradford,  afterwards  Grand  Master,  was 
an  outspoken  secessionist,  and  he  campaigned  the 
district  for  John  C.  Breckinridge.  Grove  L.  John- 
son was  a  defender  of  the  South,  and  he  denounced 
in  unmeasured  terms  the  Administration.  On  the 
other  hand,  Parker,  appointed  as  postmaster  of  San 
I'rancisco  by  the  President,  held  that  office  until 
the  close  of  the  war.  C.  O.  Burton,  Grand  Master 
in  1865,  was  postmaster  at  Stockton,  and  a  strong, 
uncompromising  Union  man;  he  was  a  campaign 
leader  in  every  election.  Charles  S.  Eigenbrodt, 
resigning  his  position  as  D.  D.  G.  Master,  recruited 
a  company  and  raised  to  the  rank  of  Captain  in  the 
California  battalion,  he  was  instantly  killed  while 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  65 

leading  a  charge  September  2d,  1864,  in  the  Shenan- 
doah valley  (d). 

In  our  intercourse  with  our  fellowmen  and  with 
our  brethren  Ave  are  cautioned  against  speaking  any 
improper  sentiments  or  using  any  language  that 
would  injure  or  hurt  the  feelings  of  a  brother.  This 
rule  strictly  applies  to  the  discussions  of  party  or 
sect,  for  with  them  our  Order  holds  no  affiliation. 
During  the  terrible  conflict  there  seems  to  have  been 
no  words  spoken  that  hurt  any  brother's  feelings, 
although  in  two  or  three  recorded  instances  the 
speech-making,  loyal  brothers  were  very  emphatic. 
One  of  these  instances  was  at  a  reception  tendered 
the  Grand  Lodge,  1864,  by  our  Sacramento  breth- 
ren. In  the  morning  they  gave  their  visiting  broth- 
ers an  excursion  trip  to  Folsom,  the  first  train  ever 
run  over  the  road,  and  in  the  afternoon  a  banquet 
in  the  pavilion.  On  that  occasion  Representative 
Charles  S.  Haswell,  in  response  to  the  toast,  ^^Our 
Country,"  first  eulogizing  the  patriotism  of  the 
Kevolutionary  Fathers,  declared — 

"But  in  these  latter  days  secession  and 
rebellion  have  stalked  the  land  ♦  ♦  ♦ 
and  threatened  ♦  ♦  ♦  to  destroy  this 
noble  government.  ♦  ♦  ♦  They  will 
not  succeed,  ♦  ♦  ♦  and  on  the  fields 
of  Virginia,  under  U.  S.  Grant,  their  de- 
scendants are  assembling  to  crush  out  the 
last  vestige  of  secession.  ♦  ♦  ♦  When 
this  war  ceases,  no  clanking  chains  of  the 


66  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

slave  shall  clash  upon  our  ears  forever- 
more,  and  beloved  America  shall  arise 
above  despotism,  towering  high,  majestic 
and  immovable." 

No  brother  seems  to  have  been  offended  by  these 
heated  words,  for  they  were  all  of  one  mind,  ^^that 
the  Union  must  and  shall  be  preserved."  That  such 
Avas  the  case  wa^  clearly  demonstrated  in  the  Grand 
Lodge  session  that  year.  At  that  time  a  resolution 
>\'as  presented  from  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsyl- 
vania ^^relative  to  the  unity  of  the  Order  in  the 
United  States,"  and  the  138  representatives  by  a 
unanimous  vote  proved  their  loyalty  to  the  Union 
by  the  adoption  of  a  strong  set  of  resolutions  in  sup- 
port of  the  old  government  (e). 

John  A.  McClelland,  then  D.  G.  Master,  was  a 
\A'ar  Democrat,  and  in  his  report  as  Grand  Master, 
1865,  he  said : 

'^And  as  the  time  draws  near  when  the  mild 
dominion  of  peace   is   to   be   established, 

*  *  *  we,  as  Odd  Fellows,  have  an 
important  Avork  to  accomplish.  *  *  * 
It  is  the  duty  of  our  Order  to  be  foremost 
in  the  benign  office  of  cementing  the  love 
which    should    exist    among    the    people, 

*  *  *  and  our  privilege  to  assert  our 
devotion  to  the  great  principles  of  human 
fraternity." 

Oniy  seventeen  days  before  this  message  of  love 
and  good  will  was  proclaimed,  the  greatest  tragedy 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  67 

iu  history  took  place,  when  President  Lincoln,  in 
Ford's  theater,  Washington,  on  the  evening  of  April 
15th,  18G5,  was  shot  and  killed  by  an  assassin.  Odd 
Fellows  and  partisans  expressed  their  most  bitter 
condemnation  of  the  deed.  In  the  funeral  obsequies, 
a  few  days  later,  Odd  Fellows  in  all  parts  of  the 
State  took  a  pix)minent  part,  they  parading  in  full 
regalia,  Grand  Master  McClelland  having  granted 
a  disi>ensation  thus  permitting. 

When  the  Grand  Lotlge  that  year  assembled,  a 
committee  of  five  was  appointed  to  draw  up  resolu- 
tions out  of  respect  to  our  late  President.  The  com- 
mittee, consisting  of  M.  M.  Estee,  Lewis  Sober, 
Henry  M.  Gates,  Wm.  H.  Hill  and  H.  M.  Hueston, 
in  their  report  extolled  the  virtues,  statesmanship 
and  benevolence  of  the  dead  Lincoln,  and  resolved — 

"That  no  words  at  our  command  can  ex- 
press our  abhorence  of  the  damning  act  of 
the  assassin." 

In  silence  and  by  a  standing  vote  the  lodge 
adopted  the  resolutions,  for  President  Lincoln  was 
their  idol. 

Time  i>as8ed  on,  and  as  men  began  to  study  the 
character  and  the  motives  of  Lincoln  he  grew  in 
greatness,  until  finally  both  of  the  great  political 
parties  prochiimcMl  him  one  of  tin*  grandest  charac- 
ters in  the  world's  history.  The  Graud  Army  of 
the  Republic  placed  his  name  among  the  immortals, 


68  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

and  in  marble  to  perpetuate  his  name,  the 
•G.  A.  R.  Veterans  of  California  formed  a  Lincoln 
League  Association,  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  to 
his  memory  a  monument  in  'Golden  Gate  Park. 
Wm.  H.  Barnes,  believing  that  such  a  worthy  object 
would  meet  the  approval  of  every  true  Odd  Fellow, 
in  the  Grand  Lodge  session,  1897,  offered  the  fol- 
lowing resolution: 

"That  we  hereby  express  ourselves  as  being 
in  heartfelt  sympathy  mtli  the  avowed 
objects  of  this  league,  and  commend  the 
patriotic  undertaking  to  the  attention  of 
every  brother  in  our  fraternal  Order." 

The  resolution  was  referred  to  the  Committee  on 
State  of  the  Order — Grove  L.  Johnson,  Sam  J. 
Smith,  J.  M.  Angelloti  and  Reuben  H.  Lloyd — and 
adversely  reporting,  they  declared — 

"For  we  do  not  believe  that  this  Order 
should,  as  an  Order,  honor  any  man,  no 
matter  how  great,  who  was  not  a  member 
of  the  Order." 

And  the  Grand  Lodge,  lacking  in  patriotism,  ap- 
proved of  this  committee's  report. 

A  fitting  tribute  and  honor  was,  however,  ac- 
corded by  the  Lodge  to  the  second  President  slain, 
James  A.  Garfield,  an  Odd  Fellow.  He  was  a 
brother  who  will  ever  be  remembered  by  his  sublime 
proclamation,  "God  reigns,  and  the  government  at 
Washington  still  lives,"  and  when  from  earth  Ms 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  69 

spirit  winged  its  way,  Orand  Master  Louderback 
**earnestly  requested  all  Odd  Fellows  to  participate 
in  the  funeral  obsequies"  September  26th,  1881. 

The  Garfield  Monument  Association  was  formed 
to  erect  to  him  a  marble  shaft,  and  the  Grand  Mas- 
ter, October  12th,  1881,  gave  permission  to  all  sub- 
ordinate lodges  to  subscribe  towards  the  fund. 
Some  sixty  lodges  contributed  nearly  $700.  The 
corner  stone  of  the  monument  was  laid  in  Golden 
Gate  Park  by  the  Masonic  Grand  Lodge,  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Odd  Fellows  taking  part  in  the  parade 
only. 

On  the  evening  of  February  15th,  1898,  the  battle- 
ship Maine,  on  her  mission  of  charity-feeding  the 
starving  Cubans,  was  peacefully  lying  at  anchor 
in  the  harbor  of  Havana.  Suddenly  the  ship  went 
to  the  bottom  of  those  slimy  waters,  blown  up  by  a 
Spanish  torpedo,  and  two  hundred  and  fifty  of  tlie 
crew  were  drowtied. 

Because  of  this  atrocious  act  and  other  Spanish 
difficulties,  April  21st  Congress  declared  war  upon 
Spain.  It  Avas  just  thirty-four  years  previous,  the 
same  month  and  day,  that  the  South  fired  upon  the 
Old  Flag.  Then  the  hatred  between  our  brothers. 
Now  to  the  Presidential  call  of  arms  the  sons  of  the 
Southland  quickly  responded,  and  togetlier  marchc^d 
our  Northern  and  Southern  brothers  to  fight  the 
battles  for  humanity  and  free  an  oppressed  peopla 


70  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

It  was  a  glorious  war,  this  fight  for  the  principles 
of  Odd  Fellowship,  and  the  heroes  of  that  war  were 
given  high  honors. 

Bay  City  Lodge,  No.  71,  entertained  their  brother 
soldiers  May  31st,  1898,  sailing  for  and  returning 
from  Manila  September  12th,  1899,  and  the  Grand 
Lodge,  1900,  adopted  a  resolution  of  respect  ^'to  the 
name  of  the  gallant  soldier.  General  Henry  W.  Law- 
ton,  killed  in  the  Philippine  Islands  while  leading 
a  charge.''  He  was  the  only  surviving  member  of 
Harmony  Lodge,  No.  19,  of  Indiana. 

Upon  the  arrival  of  his  body  at  San  Francisco, 
on  board  of  a  government  transport,  a  large  number 
of  Odd  Fellows  escorted  the  'Mead"  to  the  under- 
taker's, they  intending  the  following  day  to  pay  the 
General  high  honors.  The  military  authorities 
Avould  not  permit  civilian  honors  to  be  paid.  The 
Odd  Fellows  escort,  limited  to  one  hundred,. by  the 
officer  in  command,  escorted  the  body  to  the  mole, 
a  special  train  being  in  waiting  at  Oakland  to  bear 
the  distinguished  dead,  General  Lawton,  Major 
Logan  and  Dr.  Atkinson,  to  the  East.  The  bodies 
were  laid  each  on  a  cassion,  with  two  companies  of 
cavalry  as  guards.  As  the  funeral  cortege  silently 
marched,  ''it  was  a  most  solemn  and  impressive 
event,  thousands  of  people  standing  along  the  street 
with  uncovered  heads  as  the  funeral  procession 
passed  by." 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP."  71 

The  President  is  the  Commander-in-Chief  of  the 
army  and  navy,  and  President  McKinley,  visiting 
California  in  May,  1901,  was  everywhere  received 
with  high  honors  and  great  enthusiasm.  The  six 
hundred  representatives  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  then 
in  session,  sent  to  him — 

"Their  most  hearty  and  sincere  greetings 
and  best  wishes  for  Divine  guidance  and 
protection  in  all  his  ways," 

and  Grand  Master  Watson  and  Grand  Secretary 
Shaw  conveyed  the  Lodge  greeting  to  the  worthy 
Chief.  Three  days  later.  May  17th,  by  a  unanimous 
vote,  the  Lodge 

"Expressed  their  heartfelt  sympathies  be- 
cause of  the  critical  illness  of  his  wifa" 

But  when  later  the  assassin's  bullet,  September  6th, 
sent  McKinley's  soul  to  the  great  beyond,  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  1902  was  silent  regarding  this  foul  deed. 

The  Lodge,  1901,  in  extending  to  President  Mc- 
Kinley their  greeting,  declared — 

"He  will  find  all  Odd  Fellows  true  and  loyal 
citizens  of  the  country," 

And  they  again  proved  their  loyalty,  1903,  by  ad- 
journing their  session  that  the  representatives 
might  welcome  President  Koosevelt — 

"Because  of  his  hearty  endorsement  of  the 
wortli  of  fraternal  societies." 


72  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

The  President  reached  San  Francisco  May  12th, 
and  he  was  given  a  rousing  reception. 

(a)  Grand  Secretary  Ridgely  says  the  "Talesman"  plotted 
with  Grand  Sire  Boyleston  to  have  this  session  of  the  Sover- 
eign Grand  Lodge  held  within  the  limits  of  the  Confederacy, 
but  the  plot  was  discovered  and  defeated  by  General  John  C. 
Smith  of  Chicago.  Ridgely  afterwards  barely  missed  imprison- 
ment because  of  his  activity  in  the  Southern  cause. 

(b)  Robert  Boyleston  at  this  time  and  through  the  war 
was  one  of  General  Beauregard's  staff  officers. 

(c)  Efforts  were  made  by  some  of  the  Grand  Lodge  repre- 
sentatives, notably  those  of  Mississippi  and  Alabama,  to  have 
them  secede,  but  the  majority  refused,  they  declaring  that  the 
Grand  Lodge  had  no  grievance  against  the  Sovereign  Grand 
Lodge. 

The  Georgia  Grand  Lodge  assembling  at  Macon  in  1862 
installed  Wm.  H.  Barnes  as  Grand  Master,  and  he  that  year 
instituted  Barnes  Lodge,  No.  55. 

In  his  report  he  said  that  the  brothers  of  a  certain  lodge 
had  all  gone  to  the  front,  "but  I  will  not  recall  their  charter, 
for  I  believe  that  they  will  all  return  and  again  take  up  the 
good  work." 

(d)  Charles  S.  Eigenbrodt  was  a  very  active  Odd  Fellow. 
One  of  the  first  members  of  Charity,  No.  6,  for  a  time  its  Sec- 
retary, he  later  withdrew  and  became  a  charter  member  of 
Templar,  No.  17,  its  first  Vice  Grand.  Withdrawing  from  No.  17 
he  then  became  the  so-called  Father  of  Crusade  Lodge,  No.  93. 
He  was  the  only  Odd  Fellow  killed  during  the  Civil  War,  so 
far  as  the  record  shows,  and  in  his  will  he  left  $1,000  to  the 
lodge  to  establish  their  library.  In  a  Captain's  uniform  his 
portrait  now  hangs  in  their  hall. 

(e)  The  resolution  declared  in  part:  "That  this  Grand 
Lodge  will  never  consent  to  a  separation  of  the  Order,  or  coun- 
tenance any  division  of  the  American  Republic;  that  we  be- 
lieve that  all  brethren  *  *  *  who  have  aided  or  assisted 
In  the  disintegration  of  American  nationality  are  unfaithful 
members  of  the  Order  *  *  *  and  undeserving  of  associa- 
tion in  the  Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 

"Resolved,  *  *  *  that  it  is  the  duty  of  all  good  Odd 
Fellows  to  labor  earnestly  and  faithfully  for  the  overthrow  of 
the  present  wicked  rebellion;  that  as  members  of  this  Grand 
Lodge,  as  citizens,  we  pledge  our  lives,  fortunes  and  honor  m 
support  of  the  government  of  our  fathers."     *     *     * 


CHAPTEU  V. 

Odd  Fellows*  Stockton  hall  dedicated — First  corner  stone 
in  California — Grand  Lodges  attend  railroad  celebration — The 
experience  of  A.  J.  Gunnison — Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  visits 
California — Entertained  royally — Ridgely  presented  with  a 
cane — T.  Rodgers  Johnson,  Grand  Secretary — The  contest  for 
office — Johnson's  failing  health — His  death  and  funeral — 
Nathan  Porter — That  $500  banner — The  Philadelphia  celebra- 
tion— Porter,  the  Grand  Orator — An  inspiring  scene — Organ- 
ization of  the  Veteran  Association — Death  and  burial  of 
Nathan  Porter. 

The  terrible  fiuternal  war  did  not  in  any  par- 
ticular retard  the  onward  march  of  California  Odd 
Fellowship,  and  Grand  Master  Burton  said : 

"The  Odd  Fellows  of  the  city  (Stockton) 
haye  carried  almost  to  completion  a  build- 
ing that  is  acknowledged  by  all  to  be  ex- 
ternally the  finest  Odd  Fellows'  building 
in  the  State." 

The  building  Avas  completed  in  1866.  The  corner 
stone  was  laid  November  28th,  1865,  in  the  presence 
of  hundreds  of  brothers  and  friends.  The  exercises 
were  opened  with  prayer  by  the  Rev.  P.  G.  Buchan- 
nan,  Grand  Chaplain,  followed  by  the  singing  of  our 
ode.  Grand  Secretary  Johnson  then  read  a  list  of 
the  articles  to  be  placed  within  the  stone,  and  the 
ceremony  of  laying  and  sealing  the  stone  was  per- 
formed by  Grand  Master  Burton.  Deputy  Grand 
Master  Dorrance  then  proclaimed  the  stone  duly 
laid,  and  prayer  was  again  offered  to  the  Most  High. 
An  oration  was  delivered  by  John  W.  Dwinelle. 


74  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

The  Stockton  Odd  Fellows  have  the  honor  of  lay- 
ing the  first  corner  stone  in  California,  that  of  the 
County  Court  House,  August  10, 1853.  The  Masons 
refused  to  lay  the  stone  and  the  Supervisors  then 
called  upon  the  Odd  Fellows.  They  responded,  and 
after  the  articles  had  been  placed  in  a  glass  jar  and 
hermetically  sealed,  the  stone  was  laid  in  place  by 
E.  W.  Colt,  then  Deputy  Grand  Master.  An  address 
was  delivered  by  A.  G.  Stakes,  County  Judge,  and 
an  oration  by  George  Ryer,  a  popular  tragedian  of 
that  day. 

One  of  the  most  important  events  of  the  nation 
was  the  completion  of  the  overland  railroad,  and 
with  great  pleasure  the  Grand  Lodge,  then  sitting 
in  San  Francisco,  in  response  to  a  telegram  from  the 
Sacramento  committee.  May  5th,  1869,  accepted 
the  invitation 

"To  participate  with  our  citizens  in  the  cel- 
ebration of  the  great  event,  *  *  *  to 
be  present  and  join  with  us  on  the  day  of 
the  demonstration,  Saturday,  May  8th." 

In  answer  to  the  invitation  the  Lodge  adopted  the 
Charles  N.  Fox  resolution  to  attend  the  celebration 
in  full  regalia, 

"And  then  and  there  pay  their  respects  to 
the  ofl&cers  who  have  carried  through  that 
great  work." 

San  Francisco  also  celebrated  the  event,  and  they 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  75 

worked  hard  in  the  Grand  Lodge  in  their  endeavor 
tc  have  that  body  reconsider  their  vote  to  attend  the 
Saeraiuento  celebration.  An  evening  session  was 
held  on  Friday  that  they  might  complete  their  busi- 
ness. Arriving  at  the  Capital  about  noon,  the  Odd 
Fellows  were  one  of  the  largest  and  most  imposing 
sights  of  that  splendid  parade. 

Probably  among  the  Odd  Fellows  no  one  realized 
the  great  value  to  travelers,  at  least,  of  the  new 
route  to  the  East  more  than  A.  J.  Gunnison,  Sover- 
eign Grand  Representative  to  the  Grand  Lodge  in 
1862.  Taking  passage  on  the  Golden  Gate  July 
31st,  all  went  well  until  the  steamer  was  off  the 
coast  of  Mazatlan.  She  there  caught  fire,  and 
although  run  to  the  shore,  many  passengers  per- 
ished. Representative  Gunnison,  being  a  good 
swimmer,  succeeded  in  reaching  the  shore,  he  losing 
all  of  his  baggage  and  the  Australia  documents 
confided  to  his  keeping.  He  arrived  at  San  Fran- 
cisco with  only  the  clothing  upon  his  back,  and  as 
it  was  too  late  to  again  sail  for  Baltimore,  Califor- 
nia that  year  had  but  one  representative  in  the  Sov- 
ereign Grand  Lodge. 

For  several  years  the  Californians  had  been  en- 
deavoring to  have  some  of  the  Grand  officers  visit 
the  Golden  West,  among  them  Grand  Sire  Veitch, 
he  being  a  personal  friend  of  Grand  Master  Mc- 
Clelland.   The  efforts  were  unsuccessful,  because  of 


76  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

the  long  ocean  voyage  and  the  heavy  expense;  but 
the  completion  of  the  railroad  made  a  visit  possible, 
not  only  from  the  Sovereign  Grand  officers,  but 
from  the  S.  G.  Lodge.  Having  this  point  in  view, 
the  Grand  Lodge,  through  her  representatives,  A.  J. 
Gunnison  and  C.  A.  Dannals,  invited  the  S.  G.  L. 
to  meet  in  San  Francisco  in  the  session  of  1869. 
They  voted  to  there  assemble,  provided  ^'through 
trains  are  daily  being  run  after  August  1st,  1869, 
from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific,  and  they  were  given 
free  passage  from  Omaha  and  return.'^  The  last 
named  proposition  was  a  problem  to.  the  represen- 
tatives, and  they  telegraphed  to  Grand  Master  Fox 
for  instructions.  They  waited  but  a  short  time, 
then  the  joyful  news  to  them  was  flashed  over  the 
wire — 

"Templar  Lodge  has  unanimously  agreed  to 
secure  expenses  of  representatives  not  ex- 
ceeding |10,000.  Invite  Grand  Lodge. 
T.  Rodgers  Johnson,  Secretary." 

Near  the  appointed  time  of  meeting,  September 
10th,  the  California  reception  committee  journeyed 
to  Omaha.  The  body  were  all  assembled,  122  rep- 
resentatives, 18  P.  G.  Sires  and  Masters,  together 
with  24  ladies;  but  the  Union  Pacific  refused  to 
turn  a  wheel  until  the  passage  money  was  in  sight 
The  committee  were  placed  in  a  very  embarrassing 
position,  for  Avith  a  railroad  company  promises  are 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  77 

not  legal  tender.  Again  the  wires  were  made  hot 
and  Fox  was  informed  of  the  situation.  Wm.  C. 
Ralston,  a  member  of  Templar  Lodge,  learning  of 
the  difficulty,  wired  to  John  B.  Harmon: 

"Draw   on   the   California   Bajik   for  any 
ajnount.     Ralston." 

The  name  of  Ralston,  then  President  of  the  Cali- 
fornia Bank,  was  good  for  any  sum  of  money,  and 
the  corporation  wheels,  now  well  oiled,  easily  rolled 
out  of  Omaha  for  the  City-by-the-Sea. 

The  representatives  on  arrival  in  Nevada  were 
entertained  by  Grand  Master  C.  C.  Hayden.  Then, 
speeding  onward,  the  train  rushed  down  the  slopes 
of  the  Sierras  into  Sacramento.  That  day,  Sep- 
tember 15th,  Grand  Sire  Famsworth  laid  the  comer 
stone  of  the  Odd  Fellows'  Temple,  and  that  evening 
they  were  tendered  a  banquet  in  the  Capitol  build- 
ing. 

The  following  afternoon  they  were  the  guests  of 
Nathan  Porter,  at  Alameda,  "where  a  most  bounti- 
ful collation  was  spread  under  the  oaks  of  his  resi- 
dence," and  then  crossing  the  bay  they  were  landed 
at  the  Broadway  wharf  and  welcomed  by  hundreds 
of  Odd  Fellows — a  reunion  of  friends  long  separ- 
ated. A  procession  was  then  formed,  and  escorted 
by  Company  C  of  the  National  Guard  seventy-five 
strong  and  led  by  a  fine  band,  they  marched  up 
Broadway  to  Sansome,  to  Pacific,  to  Montgomery, 


78  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

to  Market,  to  Kearney,  to  Bush,  where  seats  had 
been  reserved  for  them  in  the  California  theater. 

As  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  entered  that  beau- 
tiful temple  of  the  drama,  built  by  Odd  Fellow 
Ralston  and  dedicated  by  the  tragedian,  John  Mc- 
Cullough,  the  audience  arose  to  their  feet  and 
greeted  them  with  cheers  that  seemed  to  shake  the 
building.  The  officers  and  leading  Odd  Fellows 
were  escorted  to  the  stage  and  speeches  of  welcome 
were  made  by  John  Harmon  and  others,  E.  D. 
Farnsw^orth,  Grand  Sire,  responding.  The  twilight 
of  the  fading  day  was  fast  approaching  when  loud 
calls  were  made  for  "Ridgely!  Ridgely!"  As  the 
old  veteran  stepped  forward  to  speak  a  few  words, 
the  people,  as  '^if  from  one  common  impulse,  arose 
to  greet  him,"  the  lights  at  that  moment  were  sud- 
denly in  flame,  and  as  the  Odd  Fellows'  shouts 
echoed  and  re-echoed  throughout  the  building  a 
scene  was  presented  ne'er  before  witnessed  on  this 
Western  shore. 

On  the  following  day,  Sunday,  the  representa- 
tives rested,  many  attending  divine  service.  On 
Monday  the  Lodge  assembled  in  Pacific  hall  for 
work.  They  were  welcomed  to  California  by  Grand 
Master  Harmon,  Farnsworth  again  responding. 
That  evening  they  enjoyed  a  sumptuous  banquet. 
The  next  day,  Tuesday,  the  San  Francisco  fire 
department,  under  the  direction  of  Chief  Scannell, 


CALIFORNIA    ODD   FELLOWSHIP.  79 

gave  them  an  exhibition  drill  in  answering  quickly 
a  fire  alarm.  The  same  day,  by  invitation  of  the 
North  Pacific  Transportation  Company,  on  the 
steamer  Senator  they  took  an  excursion  around  the 
bay  and  out  the  Golden  Gate.  A  similar  excursion 
was  tendered  "the  guests"  by  the  Alameda,  Western 
and  San  eTose  Eailroad  Company.  Boarding  the 
steamer  Alameda,  they  made  the  run  across  in 
thirty-five  minutes.  A  special  train  of  eight  coaches 
was  in  waiting,  and  speeding  down  the  coast  they 
arrived  at  San  Jose  about  noon.  Five  hundred  Odd 
Fellows  escorted  them  to  Armory  hall,  a  band  pre- 
ceding them,  where  a  fine  collation  awaited  them, 
Ridgley  addressing  the  brotherhood.  From  San 
Jose  the  party  came  up  the  coast  to  Menlo  Park  and 
San  Mateo,  and  all  along  the  route  they  w^ere 
privately  entertained  by  Ralston,  Mills,  Hayward 
and  many  other  millionaires. 

Friday  afternoon  the  representatives  in  full 
regalia  attended  the  Mechanics'  Fair,  and  they  were 
by  the  Directors  "treated  to  champagne  and  to 
sights  not  to  be  seen  except  at  an  industrial  fair." 

On  the  last  day  of  the  session,  the  Californians 
presented  Ridgely  with  a  beautiful  California  bay- 
wood  cane,  the  head  of  the  cane  being  inlaid  with 
quartz. 

The  visit  of  this  Grand  body,  the  first  National 
organization  to  cross  the  continent,  was  exceedingly 


80  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

helpful  to  California  Odd  Fellowship.  It  gave  new 
life  and  vigor  to  the  brethren,  who  daily  toiled  in 
the  vineyard  of  Odd  Fellowship,  aroused  the  latent 
energies  of  the  sleeping,  and  ^^among  those  Avho  had 
hitherto  remained  ignorant  of  the  character  of  the 
institution  to  which  we  belong''  it  created  an  inter- 
est to  learn  more  of  the  Order  and  its  teachings,  this 
resulting  in  an  increased  membership. 

None  worked  harder  to  make  the  visit  of  the 
Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  a  success  than  T.  Rodgers 
Johnson,  the  faithful,  efficient  Grand  Secretary  for 
twenty-one  years.  Elected  as  Grand  Secretary  at 
the  first  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  he  received  for 
his  services  the  sum  of  |500  per  year — an  amount 
so  small  that  he  was  compelled  to  open  a  ^'haber- 
dasher"  store,  and  also  manufacture  and  sell 
regalias  (a)  that  he  might  make  both  ends  meet. 
His  salary,  however,  was  gradually  increased  in 
amount  until  it  reached  the  yearly  sum  of 
13,000  (b). 

^'Johnson,"  said  one  who  well  knew  him,  "un- 
doubtedly did  more  towards  advancing  the  Order 
to  the  high  position  it  now  holds,  than  any  man  in 
California.  As  true  as  the  needle  to  the  pole,  so 
true  was  T.  Rodgers  Johnson  to  the  principles  of 
Odd  Fellowship."  Without  a  single  opponent,  he 
was  unanimously  elected  Secretary,  year  after  year, 
until  1874,  at  which  time  Walter  B.  Lyon  of  Auburn 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 


81 


I^odge,  No.  7,  appeared  in  the  Grand  Lodge  as 
Johnson's  rival.  He  had  been  seen  in  the  Grand 
Lodge  but  twice  previous,  1860-69,  and  he  now  be- 
came a  representative  for  the  express  purpose  of 
winning  the  prize. 


I.  O.  O.  F.  HALL,  STOCKTON. 

The  building  was  erected  by  the  Odd  Fellows'  Hall  Associa- 
tion, at  a  cost  of  some  $40,000,  and  no  expense  was  spared  in 
the  fitting  up  of  the  hall,  the  frescoing  alone  costing  over  $800. 

The  Grand  Lodge  session  was  held  that  year  at 
Vallejo.  The  Odd  Fellows  of  that  town  having 
erected  a  handsome  two-story  building' at  a  cost  of 
126,000,   dedicating  their  hall   April   26th,   1872. 


82  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

Representative  E.  W.  O'Brien  (e),  then  Grand 
Herald,  invited  the  Lodge  to  assemble  ^'in  the  third 
State  Capital,  as  they  had  built  a  fine  hall  and  could 
easily  accommodate  1,500  people  in  the  town." 

The  Grand  Lodge  voted  to  there  convene  without 
a  dissenting  voice,  and  when  the  time  arrived,  a 
steamer  load  of  Johnson's  friends  attended  the  ses- 
sion, as  it  was  whispered  around  that  efforts  would 
be  made  by  the  mountain  Odd  Fellows  to  beat 
Johnson.  The  mountain  camps  in  that  day  were 
filled  with  livel}^  Odd  Fellows,  and  an  exciting  elec- 
tion was  anticipated. 

The  mountain  candidate  for  the  Secretaryship 
was  a  man  of  suave  and  polished  manners,'  possess- 
ing a  bright  mind  exceedingly  retentive,  and  many 
of  the  qualities  of  a  successful  politician,  and  laying 
"his  wires,"  he  had  the  office  within  his  grasp  before 
he  entered  the  Grand  Lodge.  On  the  second  day 
the  officers  were  elected,  and  Johnson  was  placed  in 
nomination  by  Nathan  Porter,  Lyons  being  placed 
in  nomination  by  Warren  Heaton.  The  result  was 
very  close,  Johnson  being  elected  by  only  three 
votes  (d).  The  shadow  of  defeat  was  following  in 
his  footsteps. 

In  the  following  year  the  Grand  Lodge  assembled 
in  San  Francisco,  and  Lyons  was  again  placed  in 
nomination  by  Warren  Heaton,  Representative 
Selig  of  No.  13,  nominating  Johnson.    On  the  first 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  83 

ballot  Johnson  ran  behind,  271-273,  necessary  for  a 
choice  279,  as  two  other  brothers  were  running. 
There  being  no  election,  a  second  ballot  was 
ordered;  but  the  hour  being  near  noon,  Johnson's 
friends,  sparring  for  time,  moved  an  adjournment 
The  motion  was  lost,  and  on  the  second  ballot 
Walter  B.  Lyon,  unfortunately  for  Johnson  and  the 
future  honor  of  the  Lodge,  receiving  a  majority  of 
all  the  votes  cast,  was  declared  elected  Grand  Sec- 
retary.   Johnson  almost  wept  over  his  defeat. 

The  Grand  Ix>dge,  appreciating  highly  the  ser- 
vices of  their  Past  Grand  Secretary,  on  the  last  day 
of  the  session  presented  him  w  ith  a  handsome  gold 
watch,  Nathan  Porter  making  the  presentation 
speech.  But  neither  gold  nor  silver  can  cure  an 
aching  heart,  and  the  ex-Secretary,  deeply  humil- 
iated, crossed  the  portals  of  the  Lodge,  ne'er  again 
to  enter.  Struggling  for  months  against  the  fataJ 
disease,  consumption,  he  now  rapidly  failed  in 
strength,  and  sailing  for  Anaheim,  hoped  there  to 
recover.  Death  to  him  was  calling,  and  January 
11,  1876,  he  died  at  Santa  Barbara. 

The  body  was  immediately  returned  to  San  Fran- 
cisco, and  it  lay  in  statue  in  Covenant  hall  awaiting 
the  burial  honors  of  the  Grand  Encampment,  which 
had  known  no  other  Grand  Scribe  but  he.  The 
funeral  service  was  conducted  by  the  rector  of  the 
Church  of  Advent,  Dr.  Lathrop,  he  offering  a  prayer 


84  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

after  the  singing  of  the  hymn,  ^^Come,  Ye  Discon- 
solate," by  the  choir,  H.  M.  Bosworth  presiding  at 
the  hall  organ.  Nathan  Porter  delivered  the  eulogy, 
this  preceding  the  closing  hymn. 

The  funeral  procession  was  then  formed  by 
encampments,  lodges  and  friends,  and  under  the 
escort  of  the  Golden  Gate  Battalion,  in  their  new 
uniforms  of  purple  and  gold,  to  the  music  of  the 
funeral  dirge,  the  Odd  Fellows  marched  to  the 
^'Sacred  mountain  of  the  dead,  consecrated  to  our 
Order."  On  arrival,  the  funeral  service  was  read 
from  memory  by  Jacob  Miller,  Grand  Master, 
assisted  by  Grand  High  Priest  H.  S.  Winn  (e). 
The  quartette  then  sang — 

"When  through  life's  devious  Avays  we  run. 
Thy  will  be  done," 

and  the  brethren,  casting  upon  the  coffin  their  sprigs 
of  evergreen,  again  returned  to  the  busy  homes  of 
trade. 

Nathan  Porter's  eulogy  of  the  remains  of  his  old 
friend  was  such  only  as  he  could  pronounce.  A  man 
clean  morally  and  socially,  a  lawyer  of  deep  learn- 
ing, a  brilliant  orator,  he  could  sway  his  audience 
to  laughter  or  tears,  and  equally  well  deliver  an 
oration  or  preach  a  sermon  (f). 

Visiting  California  in  1854,  he  again  returned  in 
1859  to  reside  permanently,  and  at  once  taking  a 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  86 

lead  in  "State  Odd  Fellowship,  as  he  had  led  in 
National  Odd  Fellowship,"  he  never  made  a  move  in 
the  Grand  Lodge  that  he  did  not  carry  out.  As  an 
orator  he  cheerfully  and  freely  gave  his  services  at 
all  times  and  seasons,  and  upon  all  important  occas- 
ions he  was  invited  somewhere  to  speak,  either  be- 
fore the  large  crowd  of  the  city,  or  in  the  little 
hamlet,  before  the  faithful  few.  Probably  the 
highest  honor  ever  accorded  him  was  in  1876.  He 
that  year  being  selected  as  one  of  the  four  orators 
to  address  the  immense  throng  of  50,000  Odd  Fel- 
lows assembled  at  Philadelphia  September  20th, 
in  a. grand  centennial  celebration  of  our  Order. 

It  was  also  a  reunion  of  all  of  the  surviving  rep- 
resentatives of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  the  idea 
being  suggested  by  Wm.  E.  Smith,  a  P.  S.  G.  R.  from 
Maine.  The  idea  was  enthusiastically  received  by 
the  Grand  Lodge  throughout  the  Union,  and  Cali- 
fornia catching  the  fever  proposed  "to  inaugurate 
measures  by  which  the  whole  California  Order  may 
be  represented  at  the  Odd  Fellows'  celebration." 
Committees  were  appointed  to  "whoop  up"  the  mat- 
ter; the  Grand  Lodge  gave  them  permission  to 
solicit  and  obtain  $10,000  by  public  entertainments, 
picnics  and  so  forth  in  the  name  of  the  Order  for  the 
purchase  of  flags,  banners,  badges  (g)  and  other 
truck,  aiid  a  resolution  was  presented  and  carried 
through  by  Porter — 


86  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

"That  1500.00  be  appropriated  from  the 
Grand  Lodge  funds  for  the  purpose  of  pro- 
curing a  banner  for  this  Grand  Lodge,  to 
be  borne  in  the  procession  on  that  occas- 
ion, and  that  the  Golden  Gate  Battalion 
be  requested  to  carry  said  banner  to  Phil- 
adelphia and  in  the  procession  on  that 
day." 

Many  of  the  representatives  opposed  such  an 
extravagant  waste  of  the  Grand  Lodge  funds,  but 
the  resolution  was  carried  by  a  vote  of  185  to  53, 
and  a  committee  of  three  was  appointed  to  procure 
the  banner  (h). 

The  banner  was  the  most  artistic  piece  of  work 
ever  made  in  California  up  to  that  time,  but  the 
representation  that  folloAved  after  in  that  grand 
parade  Avas  woefully  small.  The  railroad  fare  at 
that  time  was  |250.00,  round  trip,  without  sleepers, 
and  the  company  would  not  give  reduced  rates 
unless  an  excursion  train  was  chartered.  But  few 
Odd  Fellows  visited  the  East  on  that  occasion. 
Those  who  attended  the  celebration,  however,  saw 
one  of  the  grandest  sights  of  their  lives,  and  our 
(irand  Representatives,  John  B.  Harmon  and  Colin 
M.  Boyd,  declared  "language  is  utterly  inadequate 
to  do  it  justice."  The  procession  containing  over 
15,000  Odd  Fellows  marching  eight  abreast,  was 
nine  miles  long  with  100  bands  of  music  in  the  120 
divisions. 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  87 

Marching  through  the  principal  streets,  the 
"army"  entered  Fairmount  Park — the  World's 
Exposition  was  there  being  held — and  marched  to 
the  place  set  apart.  At  that  point  a  central  plat- 
form was  erected,  with  four  converging  platforms, 


ODD  FELLOWS'  HALL,  STOCKTON,  1855. 
The  building  was  erected  by  two  Odd  Fellows,  at  a  cost  of 
$10,000.  and  the  hall  was  dedicated  July  9th,  1855,  by  Past 
Grand  Master  Parker. 

to  the  east,  to  the  west,  to  the  north  and  the  south. 
From  these  platforms  four  famous  orators  ad- 
dressed the  vast  crowd,  each  orator  representing 
a  geographical  division  of  the  Union.  Nathan 
Porter  proclaiming  the  west,  delivering  the  longest 
oration,  closed  with  these  familiar  lines : 


88  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

"Great  God,  we  thank  thee  for  this  home — 
This  bounteous  birthland  of  the  free — 
Where  wanderers  from  afar  may  come 
And  breathe  the  air  of  liberty." 

The  multitude  for  him  were  waiting,  and  as  he 
closed,  a  most  thrilling  scene  was  enacted,  for  each 
orator,  accompanied  by  his  escorts,  marching  to  the 
central  platform,  there  clasped  hands — the  symbol 
of  a  world  united  fraternity.  At  that  moment  the 
immense  band  began  playing  "Hail  Columbia,"  then 
changing  to  "Old  Hundred"  in  one  grand  chorus, 
the  music  towards  the  heavens  rolling,  the  people 
began  singing — 

"Praise  God,  from  whom  all  blessings  flow." 

This  event  was  one  of  the  "sweet  memories  of  Odd 
Fellowship,''  and  to  keep  it  in  remembrance  Nathan 
Porter,  Charles  N.  Fox  and  others  organized  the 
Veteran's  Association,  an  association  first  organ- 
ized by  P.  B.  Shillaber,  the  humorous  author  ( Mrs. 
Partington ) ,  in  Siloam  Lodge,  No.  2,  Massachusetts. 
Preliminary  meetings  were  held  and  in  Porter's  law 
office  April  24th,  1877,  the  association  was  organ- 
ized with  Nathan  Porter  as  President,  Charles  Fox 
Vice-President,  Frank  S.  Austin  Secretary,  H.  L. 
Brooks  Treasurer  and  Isaac  Bluxome  Marshal.  All 
twenty-year-old  Odd  Fellows  in  good  standing  were 
eligible  for  membership,  the  admission  fee  being 
|1  and  the  dues  |1  a  year,  this  last  sum  paying  for 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  8!> 

the  annual  banquet.  Their  by-laws  declared  that 
the  objects  of  the  association  were  to  keep  old  times 
\  n  remembrance,  encourag^e  and  visit  young  lodges, 
and  have  an  annual  banquet. 

Their  first  public  reception  was  in  tlie  Mechanics' 
Pavilion,  Maj  8th,  1877.  The  Grand  Lodge  officers 
and  over  4,000  Odd  Fellows  and  their  families  were 
present,  and  among  the  speakers  was  Wm.  H. 
Barnes  (his  first  year  in  California),  Charles  N. 
Fox,  J.  B.  Harmon,  F.  P.  Dann  and  H.  P.  Tilden. 

Among  their  many  lodge  visits,  one  of  the  nuKst 
notable  was  their  surprise  visit,  August  14th,  1879, 
to  Yerba  Buena,  No.  15,  Abou  Ben  Adhem  Lwlge 
being  present  as  their  guests.  Suddenly  an  alarm 
was  heard  at  the  inner  door.  The  Sentinel  attc^nd- 
ing  the  alarm,  found  (leo.  T.  Bohen,  Grand  Mar- 
shal, and  the  Veterans,  in  waiting.  They  were 
admitted  and  introduced  to  the  lodge  by  their  Pres- 
ident, Charles  Fox.  Later  on,  by  invitation  of  tlie 
Noble  Grand,  tlie  "Vets."  occupicxl  the  chairs  and 
initiated  a  candidate.  It  was  an  initiation  seldom 
seen,  for  every  officer  was  proficient  and  letter  per- 
fect in  his  part,  f<mr  of  tlie  officei's  being  Past  Grand 
Masters  and  two  PMst  Sovereign  (Jrand  Keprcseii- 
tatives. 

Porter  was  not  there;  lie  had  gone  home;  and  the 
deepest  mourners  were  those  who  best  knew  him. 


90  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

And  as  N.  Greene  Curtis,  his  political  opponent  in 
the  Senate  said: 

"No  man  could  know  Nathan  Porter  but  to 
love  him.  *  *  *  The  angel  of  death 
has  cast  his  shadow  over  this  body,  and 
over  the  entire  land.  The  brittle  thread  of 
life  has  been  clipped,  and  our  brother  has 
gone  down  to  the  grave  full  of  honor." 

Elected  as  Senator  from  Alameda,  he  made  a  long 
speech  January  24th,  1878,  in  opposition  to  a 
certain  Senate  bill,  and  at  its  close  he  seemed  ex- 
hausted. Shortly  afterward  he  apparently  regained 
his  full  strength,  and  that  evening  visiting  Capitol 
Lodge,  he  made  another  speech.  Ketiring  that  night 
in  the  home  of  a  friend,  he  awoke  the  following 
morning,  his  lower  limbs  paralyzed.  The  disease 
rapidly  spread,  and  about  midnight  January  26th 
Nathan  Porter  passed  beyond  the  river.  He  died 
almost  alone,  for  his  two  daughters  were  compelled 
to  remain  in  their  Alameda  home  attending  to  their 
mother,  dying  of  cancer. 

The  following  Monday  the  Legislature  assembled 
as  usual  and  then  adjourned  out  of  respect  to  Sena- 
tor Porter,  deceased.  Committees  were  also  ap- 
pointed to  accompany  the  remains  to  San  Francisco 
and  attend  his  funeral.  The  body  was  conveyed  to 
Covenant  hall,  where  it  lay  in  state.  Porter  having 
expressed  a  wish  to  be  buried  from  that  hall,  for  to 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  91 

him  it  was  sacred,  for  there  had  lain  the  bodies  of 
Parker,  Johnson,  Morse,  Bohen  and  Freer.  Cove- 
nant hall  was  not  large  enough  for  the  funeral 
attendance,  and  on  that  day  the  encampments  and 
lodges,  under  the  escort  of  the  battalion  and  the 
Industrial  school  band,  conveyed  the  body  to  Dash- 
away  hall.  Porter  there  delivering  the  oration  when 


NATHAN  PORTER.  P.  S.  G.  R. 
Nathan  Porter  was  born  in  Salem,  Massachusetts,  in  1816, 
and  in  early  life  he  learned  the  hatter's  trade.  His  election 
as  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  convinced  him  that  his  future  line  of 
work  should  be  the  law,  and  graduating  from  a  law  school,  in 
Rhode  Island,  he  began  his  practice.  In  1858  he  came  to  Cali- 
fornia to  reside,  and  immediately  taking  a  leading  part  in 
Odd  Fellowship,  for  eight  consecutive  years  he  represented 
the  State  in  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge.  He  was  also  a  leader 
In  social  and  political  lines,  and  always  in  the  front  in  the 
alleviation  of  suffering  and  distress. 


92  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

the  corner  stone  was  laid,  November  5th,  1861,  by 
Governor  Downey,  assisted  by  the  Grand  Lodge, 
I.  O.  O.  F. 

The  casket  was  placed  in  the  center  of  the  hall, 
and  J.  W.  Hayes  of  Grass  Valley,  Grand  Patriarch, 
stated  the  object  of  their  assembling.  "Sad  are  the 
strains  that  speak  our  present  woe,- '  was  then  sung 
by  the  male  quartette — J.  F.  Tippett,  Joseph  Ma- 
guire,  Samuel  D.  Mayer  and  Walter  Campbell. 
The  Bible,  a  part  of  the  ICor.,  15  Chap.,  14  verse, 
was  then  read  by  Rev.  James  McGowan,  followed 
by  prayer.  The  (juartette  then  sang  the  hymn  now 
of  National  fame,  ''Nearer  My  God  to  Thee,"  and 
John  B.  Harmon,  standing  beside  the  dead,  deliv- 
ered a  short  address.  The  beautiful  quartette  from 
the  opera  of  "Aida"  was  then  sung — 

"Rest,  spirit  rest; 
Rest  from  thy  labors, 
In  Heaven  blest. 
Rest  spirit,  rest." 

Walter  Leman,  the  life-long  friend  of  Porter,  the 
aged  and  favorite  actor  who  for  more  than  a  half 
century  had  listened  to  the  plaudits  of  thousands 
upon  the  mimic  stage,  then  stepped  to  the  side  of 
the  silent  sleeper  to  pay  his  tribute  of  love  and 
affection.  Placing  his  hand  upon  the  casket,  as  if 
he  could  not  part  with  his  beloved  friend,  with  voice 
trembling  with  grief,  he  pronounced  one  of  the  finest 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  93 

eulogies  I  have  ever  read,  and  I  regret  that  space 
will  not  permit  its  publication. 

He  was  the  last  speaker.  The  choir  then  sang 
"Thy  will  be  done,"  and  later  the  funeral  cortege 
of  1,200  Odd  Fellows  took  up  their  march  for  the 
grave,  Encinal  Ix)dge,  Porter's  own,  acting  as  an 
escort  to  the  beloved.  On  arrival  at  Taylor  street 
they  boarded  some  twenty-eight  cars  in  waiting. 
As  they  reached  the  cemetery  they  again  formed  in 
line  and  marched  to  the  receiving  vault,  where  the 
services  of  the  Order  were  read  by  Past  Grand 
Master  Fox  and  J.  F.  Brown,  Encampment  High 
Priest.  As  the  band  played  a  requiem  march  the 
brethren  placed  their  evergreens  upon  the  casket, 
realizing  how  truthfully  Walter  Leman  spoke  when 
he  said  of  the  brother — 

"Thy  mortal  life  well  spent, 
All  earthly  duties  done. 
Went  out  in  tranquil  glory. 
Like  the  setting  Summer  sun." 

The  memory  of  Porter  was  not  forgotten,  and 

today  a  handsome  monument  marks  his  rest  The 

memorial,  a  contribution    from    the    lodges,  was 
erected,  1884,  at  a  cost  of  |1107.00. 

(a)  The  first  Past  Grand's  collar  made  by  Johnson  is  still 
doing  good  service,  and  it  was  worn  by  J.  H.  Reynolds  when, 
in  May,  1902,  the  Apollo  Lodge  team  visited  Napa. 

(b)  The  question  of  salaries  is  always  a  live  question  in 
Grand  Lodge  proceedings,  and  in  1853  they  appropriated 
$500.00  to  Johnson  "as  a  compensation  to  the  Grand  Secre- 


94  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

tary."  The  Lodge  in  1856  raised  the  amount  to  $1,000.00,  and 
increased  it  to  $1,500.00  in  1857,  the  Finance  Committee  that 
year  reporting  that  room  rent,  clerk  hire  and  other  expenses 
required  one-half  of  the  Secretary's  wages.  From  1857  the 
salary  bounded  upward  in  $500.00  leaps  until,  in  1868,  it  had 
reached  the  $3,000.00  figure.  When  Walter  B.  Lyon  was 
elected  Secretary  the  amount  was  lowered.  It  w^as  again 
raised  to  the  old  figure  in  1877,  because  of  the  increased  work 
of  the  Secretary  in  attending  with  the  Grand  Master  the 
special  sessions  throughout  the  State. 

(c)  A  good  story  is  told  of  O'Brien,  a  charter  member  and 
a  noble  worker  of  San  Pablo  Lodge,  No.  — .  When  that  lodge 
was  instituted  the  brothers  could  not  agree  upon  a  name,  and 
O'Brien  persisted  in  naming  it  Mt.  Diablo,  but  when  he  learned 
that  "Diablo"  was  the  Spanish  word  for  devil,  "a  devil  a  bit 
would  he  have  that  name." 

(d)  The  votes  that  saved  the  day  for  Johnson  came  from 
three  Past  Grands  of  Pacheco  Lodge,  No.  117 — W,  J.  Hen- 
dricks, H.  A.  Rowley  and  A.  Thurber.  Joseph  Winterburn, 
meeting  Geo.  P.  Loucks  of  that  lodge,  said  to  him:  "Loucks, 
they  are  going  to  try  to  beat  Johnson  this  time  for  Grand 
Secretary."  "Are  they?"  replied  Loucks.  "Well,  I  will  tell 
you  what  I  will  do;  I  will  get  three  Past  Grands  to  come  down 
and  help  out." 

(e)  "On  one  occasion,"  says  Winterburn,  "we  attended  a 
Saturday  night  lodge  meeting  in  a  small  place.  Sunday  we 
had  to  wait  quite  late  for  the  boat,  and  while  strolling  around 
the  town  we  passed  a  church  where  services  were  sometimes 
held.  W^hile  passing,  a  brother  banteringly  said  to  Porter: 
'Porter,  preach  us  a  sermon.'  'All  right,'  he  replied.  The  bell 
was  rung,  an  audience  gathered,  and  Porter,  taking  as  his  text, 
'Be  ye  faithful  unto  death,'  preached  as  eloquent  a  sermon  as 
I  ever  listened  to." 

(f)  Templar  Lodge,  very  much  enthused  over  the  project, 
purposed  sending  a  large  delegation  to  Philadelphia.  In  com- 
memoration of  the  event  they  had  solid  silver  badges  manu- 
factured, in  shape  like  a  maltese  cross,  and  fastened  to  the 
coat  by  a  solid  gold  three-linked  pin. 

(g)  The  banner,  the  same  that  today  leads  all  Grand 
Lodge  parades,  v/as  designed  and  painted  by  Nahl,  the  famous 
California  artist,  and  up  to  that  time  it  was  the  most  costly 
banner  ever  manufactured  in  California. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

The  Grand  Master  a  beacon  light — Given  time  and  money — 
Heavy  early  day  expenses — Severe  traveling  experiences — 
Many  lodges  not  visited — Harmon's  visitation  plan — Simpson 
makes  a  special  study  of  the  question — State  divided  into  dis- 
tricts— Brueck's  improved  plan  adopted — Past  Grand  Masters 
cannot  vote— rVictory  at  last — Efforts  to  disfranchise  Past 
Grands — ^"Bobby"  Burns  determined  to  win  out — Election  of 
Grand  OflBcers  in  subordinate  lodges. 

The  Grand  Master  is  the  beacon  ^  light  of  the 
Order,  toward  whom  all  eyes  are  turned,  and  to  him 
the  lodges  look  for  guidance,  encouragement  and 
assistance  in  all  matters  pertaining  to  lodge  Avork. 
The  Grand  Master  is  not  only  the  beacon  light,  but 
he  is  the  hardest  unpaid  worker  in  the  vineyard  of 
Odd  Fellowship.  He  should  be  paid  for  his  services, 
but  the  question  of  salary  has  never  been  considered 
in  the  Grand  Lodge  but  once,  1903,  and  then  the 
resolution  was  quickly  killed.  Nor  has  the  question 
been  broached  by  any  Grand  Master  save  E.  J. 
Smith,  1883,  he  declaring  in  his  report  that  Grand 
Lodge  work  requires  several  months  of  the  Grand 
Master's  time,  if  he  faithfully  performs  his  whole 
duty  in  visiting  lodges,  and  "the  Grand  Lodge  ought 
therefore  to  make  some  provision  for  his  salary, 
*  *  *  or  else  it  ought  not  to  expect  and  require 
him  to  perform  the  duty." 

The  Grand  Masters  as  a  rule  have  not  only  per- 
formed  their  duty  chc^^rfully  and  faithfully,as  far  ad 


96  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

they  were  able  so  to  do,  but  in  some  cases  they  have 
not  only  given  their  talent  and  time,  but  they  have 
given  money  from  their  pockets  to  pay  expenses. 
Grand  Master  Fox,  1867,  gave  several  months  of  his 
time  in  Grand  Lodge  work,  and  expending  |250  in 
excess  of  the  annual  appropriation  (a),  refused  to 
accept  the  amount  voted  bim  by  the  Lodge.  Lloyd, 
when  Grand  Master,  1888,  refused  to  accept  a  single 
dollar  of  the  appropriation,  '^and  he  expended  from 
his  private  means  a  large  sum  in  traveling  and 
otherwise  acting  oflflcially."  In  contrast,  his  suc- 
cessor, C.  W.  Jenkins,  ten  years  later,  called  upon 
the  Grand  Lodge  for  the  balance  of  the  appropria- 
tion due  him,  he  from  some  cause  receiving  only 

1700.  1      ;  i      ,      i       J     V 

Some  of  the  Grand  Masters  of  early  days  were 
unable  to  bear  even  a  part  of  the  heavy  expense,  so 
high-priced  was  steamboat,  hotel,  and  stage  fare 
and  horse  hire,  and  said  Grand  Master  Hueston, 
1856:  "I  intended  visiting  all  the  lodges,  but  the 
appropriation  being  withheld,  it  compels  me  to 
cease  visiting,  as  I  cannot,  in  justice  to  myself, 
expend  so  large  a  sum  in  traveling  throughout  the 
State.  John  L.  Van  Bokkelen,  1859,  although  given 
an  appropriation  of  $500,  reported  "it  was  not  in 
my  power  to  visit  all  of  the  lodges,  as  it  would  have 
required  more  time  than  I  had  at  my  command  and 
a  large  expenditure.'-    Grand  Master  Bohen's  visit- 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  97 

ing  record,  1863,  unsurpassed  until  1871, 109  lodges 
out  of  112,  said:  "Had. I  been  called  upon  to  paiy 
the  ordinary  charges,  |1,000  would  not  have  been 
more  than  sufficient  to  pay  the  expenses.  But  such 
was  not  the  case,  for  I  was  kindly  received  every- 
where, and  in  many  places  I  was  not  allowed  to 
spend  a  single  cent." 

Some  of  the  Grand  Masters  had  pretty  severe 
hardships.  McClelland  came  near  losing  his  life  in 
crossing  horseback  a  swollen  mountain  stream. 
And  D.  M.  Welty,  1876,  declared  "had  the  perils 
and  hardships  been  presented  to  me  before  starting, 
doubtless  the  birth  of  the  new^  sister  lodge — Garcia, 
^o.  240 — would  still  be  in  the  future.  Leaving 
Santa  Kosa  by  stage,  we  were  soon  plodding  along 
through  mud  and  water,  behind  a  Avretched  team  of 
fagged-out,  jaded  old  plugs.  Raining?  Yes,  it  was 
pouring  down,  and  the  second  day  Ave  arrived  for 
the  night  at  Stiewart^s,  cold,  wet,  hungry,  mad.  The 
third  day  Avas  the  same  dismal  weather,"  his  jour- 
ney ending  at  Point  Arena,  with  a  twenty-six  mile 
horseback  ride. 

Now  the  traveling  facilities  throughout  the  State 
are  wonderfully  improved.  Grand  Master  Linscott 
reports  riding  in  carriages  in  mountain  districts, 
and  Grand  Master  Nichols,  1902,  in  visiting  175 
lodges,  traveled  15,500  miles  by  rail,  1,000  by 
steamer  and  840  miles  by  team. 


98  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

Nichols'  visits  were  made  under  the  district  plan 
now  in  force,  but  before  that  plan  was  inaugurated 
the  Grand  Masters  visited  as  they  saw  fit.  This  led 
a  correspondent  to  inquire:  "Are  the  official  visits 
of  the  Grand  Masters  left  to  their  own  will  or  pleas- 
ure, or  are  they  expected  to  visit  all  the  lodges 
within  their  jurisdiction?"  That  they  did  not  visit 
all  the  lodges  was  evident,  for  Grand  Master 
Kandall,  1878,  in  visiting  out  of  the  beaten  track, 
found  that  one  or  two  lodges  had  never  seen  a 
Grand  Master,  while  others  had  been  neglected 
from  tw^o  to  fifteen  years  ( b ) . 

To  overcome  this  difficulty,  if  possible,  as  far 
back  as  1869,  Grand  Master  Harmon  attempted  to 
remedy  the  evil  by  himself  inaugurating  the  district 
plan  of  visiting.  He  hoped  that  succeeding  Grand 
Masters  would  follow  his  plan.  They  failed  to  do 
so,  and  no  further  effort  Avas  made  to  improve  the 
system  until  1882,  at  which  time  the  Grand  Lodge 
adopted  Grand  Master  Freer' s  recommendation — 

"That  the  State  be  divided  into  "three  dis- 
tricts, and  the  Grand  Masters  alternate  in 
their  visits  officially  in  their  respective 
districts." 

The  law  was  neither  obeyed  or  enforced,  and  visit- 
ations were  made  in  the  same  old  haphazard  man- 
ner until  1894.  Then  Grand  Master  Simpson  made 
a  special  study  of  the  visitation  question,  and  found 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  99 

that  twenty-seven  lodges  had  not  seen  a  Grand  Mas- 
ter since  1890;  no  Grand  Master  had  entered  the 
doors  of  nineteen  other  lodges  since  1886,  and  since 
1885  no  Grand  Master  had  crossed  the  portals  of 
eight  more  lodges. 

"This  should  not  be,"  said  Grand  Master 
Harmon,  "for  these  visits  are  essential  to 
the  prosperitj'^  of  the  Order;  and  the  pres- 
ence of  the  Grand  Master,  if  his  heart  be 
in  the  cause,  reassures  the  latent  energies 
of  the  brothers,  inspires  them  with  fresh 
zeal  and  tends  to  promote  uniformity  in 
the  work." 

Simpson's  report  created  an  awakening  interest 
in  lodge  visitations,  and  the  Grand  Lodge,  dividing 
the  State  into  four  districts,  required  each  Grand 
Master  to  visit  the  lodges  alternately  in  each  dis- 
trict. The  plan  of  division  agreed  upon  was  faulty 
in  many  respects,  and  to  remedy  the  difficulty  Karl 
C.  Brueck,  Grand  Master  in  1899,  recommended  an 
improved  plan.  His  plan  was  approved,  and  so 
authorized,  he  appointed  a  new  district  committee 
— Past  Grand  Masters  Gosbey,  Thompson,  Stock- 
well,  Drew  and  Warboys,  representatives  who 
had  had  experience  in  visiting  lodges,  and  therefore 
well  understood  the  subject  They  presented  an 
entirely  new  plan,  and  the  Grand  Lodge  approving 
of  their  report,  the  division  as  they  proposed  it  is 
in  force  to-day,  barring  a  few  slight  changes. 


100  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

The  position  of  Grand  Master  is  a  position  of 
honor  only,  and  he  who  accepts  the  office  must  labor 

^Tor  the  cause  that  needs  assistance, 
For  the  wrongs  that  need  resistance, 
For  the  justice  in  the  distance. 
And  the  good  that  we  may  do." 

But  there  is  a  slight  compensation  that  he  may 
receive,  and  justly  now  does  receive  full  standing 
by  voice  and  vote  in  all  of  the  work  of  the  Grand 
Lodge.  This  honor  was  long  delayed,  and  the  first 
representative  to  advance  the  Past  Grand  Masters' 
cause  was  Henry  Hoeber,  formerly  a  member  of 
Woodbridge  Lodge,  No.  97.  It  was  in  1871,  and 
Hoeber  offered  an  amendment  to  the  constitution — 

"That  Past  Grand  Masters  shall  be  ad- 
mitted to  seats  in  this  Grand  Lodge,  with 
the  power  of  debating  and  making  motions, 
but  shall  not  have  the  right  to  vote,  unless 
they  be  representatives." 

The  committee  to  whom  the  subject  was  referred 
brought  in  two  reports,  the  Lodge  adopting  the 
minority  report,  "that  the  proposed  amendment 
should  not  be  made." 

The  Constitutional  Committee,  handing  in  their 
report  in  1883,  declared : 

"The  Past  Grand  Masters  represent  the  ex- 
perience and  wisdom  acquired  by  long  ser- 
vice, and  this  committee  propose  that  they 
shall   be   made   members   of   this   Grand 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 


101 


ODD  FELLOWS  CERTIFICATE:  OF  FIFTY  YEARS  AGO. 
This  certificate  was  brought  to  California  in  1849  by  Alden 
Spooner.    He  joined  Charity,  No.  G;  later  a  charter  member  of 
Stockton,  No.  11,  and  since  1868  a  member  of  Yerba  Buena, 
No.  15. 


102  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

Lodge,  by  the  adoption  of  the  following 
amendment  to  Article  XI,  Sec.  2:  ^The 
business  of  this  Grand  Lodge  shall  be 
transacted  by  the  elective  officers.  Past 
Grand  Masters  and  representatives'." 

The  representatives  were  unprepared  for  such  a 
sweeping  innovation.  The  Past  Grand  Masters, 
themselves,  were  not  a  unit  upon  the  subject,  and 
when  the  amendment  came  up  for  action  Past 
Grand  Master  EandalPs  motion  was  adopted, 
"that  the  words  Tast  Grand  Masters'  be  stricken 
out." 

This  matter  was  not  again  revived  until  1901,  at 
which  time  twelve  representatives  offered  an  amend- 
ment— 

"That  Past  Grand  Masters  be  admitted, 
with  all  the  rights  and  privileges  of  rep- 
resentatives." 

The  Lodge  took  no  action  on  the  committee's  re- 
port, and  in  the  following  year  eight  representatives 
offered  the  Hoeber  amendment  of  1871.  The  Com- 
mittee on  Legislation — Taber,  Phelps  and  Parkin- 
son— to  whom  the  amendment  was  referred,  said 
in  their  report: 

"We  are  heartily  in  accord  with  the  objects 
to  be  accomplished,  but  we  believe  that 
Past  Grand  Masters  should  be  entitled  to 
participate  to  the  fullest  extend  in  the  pro- 
ceedings of  this  Grand  Lodge.    Therefore, 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  103 

be  it  resolved,  that  the  business  of  this 
Grand  Lodge  be  transacted  by  the  elective 
officei's,  ♦  *  ♦  Past  Grand  Masters 
*  *  *  and  representatives  elect  here- 
after in  the  manner  prescribed." 

It  will  be  noticed  that  this  amendment  of  the 
committee  was  in  effect  the  same  amendment  as 
that  proposed  by  the  Constitutional  Committee  of 
1883,  and  the  question  having  been  pretty 
thoroughly  discussed  in  the  meantime,  was  accepted 
and  adopted  by  the  Grand  Lodge  without  a  dissent- 
ing vote. 

Shall  the  Past  Grands  vote?  For  over  thirty 
years,  at  different  sessions,  this  question  has  been 
under  discussion,  although  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
United  States  as  early  as  1867  declared — 

"The  right  of  a  Past  Grand,  in  good  stand- 
ing, to  vote  for  Grand  officers,  is  an  inher- 
ent right,  of  which  he  cannot  be  deprived." 

Although  this  decision  has  never  been  reversed, 
Grand  Representatives  have  from  time  to  time  en- 
deavored to  have  this  decision  repealed,  its  oppon- 
ents declaring  that  it  is  unjust  to  those  Past  Grands 
living  far  distant  from  the  seat  of  the  Grand  Lodge, 
and  gives  those  nearby  a  chance  to  nullify  the  will 
of  the  majority. 

In  the  first  Grand  Ix>dge  session,  a  resolution  was 
adopted — 


104  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

''That  all  the  Past  Grands  from  El  Dorado 
and  Auburn  Lodges  are  hereby  admitted 
as  members  and  entitled  to  the  same  priv- 
ileges as  are  Past  Grands  from  those 
lodges  in  our  charter." 

The  full  meaning  and  intent  of  the  resolution  is 
foggy,  but  they  voted  for  all  Grand  officers,  at  least 
until  186G.  Then  Representative  A.  A.  Sargent 
offered  a  resolution,  which  the  Lodge  adopted — 

"That  our  Sovereign  Grand  Representa- 
tives be  instructed  to  urge  in  that  body 
legislation  providing  the  power  to  vote  for 
Grand  officers  be  confined  to  Grand  Lodge 
representatives. " 

The  S.  G.  L.  refused  to  take  action,  and  when  the 
California  representatives  in  1867  presented  the 
same  resolution,  the  Supreme  Lodge  gave  the  de- 
cision quoted  on  the  previous  page. 

From  the  readings  we  would  say  that  the  S.  G.  L. 
decision  was  null  and  void  in  the  Grand  Lodge,  for 
in  1868  that  body  adopted  a  rule — 

"That  Past  Grands  not  representatives  have 
no  right  to  vote  on  any  question  before  this 
Grand  Lodge.'' 

Then  Past  Grand  Master  Morse  offered  a  resolu- 
tion, which  Avas  adopted,  that  Past  Grands  be  per- 
mitted to  vote  for  Grand  officers. 

There  the  matter  rested  until  1876.  Then  Repre- 
sentative Deming,  of  No.  85,  presented  a  resolution 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  105 

intended  to  disfranchise  the  Past  Grands,  which  the 
Lodge  indefinitely  postponed. 

Two  years  later  Representative  Dorrance,  of 
No.  6,  tried  a  new  plan  of  cutting  out  the  Past 
Grands,  by  his  resolution — 

"That  all  Past  Grands  not  representatives 
must  enroll  their  name  and  the  number  of 
their  lodge  in  a  book  furnished  by  the 
Grand  Secretary.  Resolved,  That  no  Past 
Grand  shall  be  entitled  to  vote  *  *  * 
unless  his  name  is  so  enrolled." 

This  resolution,  if  passed,  Avould  have  prevented 
any  large  number  of  Past  Grands  from  the  city 
quickly  assembling  and  immediately  voting  for  any 
favorite,  but  the  Lodge  killed  the  intent  of  the 
resolution  by  adopting  the  first  and  rejecting  the 
second  resolution. 

Representative  Robert  Burns,  the  grand  old 
Scotchman,  was  determined  to  shut  out  the  Past 
Grands,  and  making  a  great  fight  he  finally  ap- 
pealed from  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge.  Old 
Father  Burns  did  not  like  the  Constitutional  Com- 
mittee plan  of  continuing  in  force  the  section  "that 
Past  Grands  should  liave  the  privilege  of  voting  for 
Grand  ofl&cers,"  so  he  introduccnl  a  resolution,  wliich 
was  indefinitely  postponed — 

"That  none  but  representatives  elect  shall 
be  allowed  to  vote  in  this  Grand  Lodge," 


106  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

Two  years  later,  1885,  he  offered  the  same  resolu- 
tion that  our  representatives  urge  the  S.  G.  L.  to 
make  the  change,  and  the  Grand  Lodge  adopted  the 
resolution.  But  when  the  resolution  was  presented 
in  the  Sovereign  body  they  declared  ^^that  no  change 
in  the  existing  law  shall  be  made." 

Burns,  still  persistent,  in  1892  again  presented 
his  disfranchising  resolution,  but  the  committee  to 
whom  it  was  referred — Sam  B.  Smith,  H.  T.  Dor- 
rance,  M.  T.  Moses  and  Samuel  Pollack — 

"Believed  it  inexpedient  that  such  a  resolu- 
tion be  adopted." 

The  Grand  Lodge  bealeved  it  was  expedient,  and 
they  adopted  Kepresentative  Louderback's  substi- 
tute, instructing  our  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  repre- 
sentatives to  have 

"the  law  changed  so  as  to  authorize  the 
Grand  Lodge  to  limit  the  right  to  vote  for 
Grand  officers  therein  to  duly  elected  rep- 
resentatives." 

The  Sovereign  Lodge  refused  to  take  any  adverse 
action.  The  last  shot  fired  at  the  Past  Grands  was 
in  1894.  Then  Representative  Warboys  of  Santa 
Kosa  offered  his  resolution  that 

"None  but  representatives  from  the  subordi- 
nate lodges  should  be  entitled  to  vote." 

No  action  was  taken,  the  resolution  being  pre- 
sented on  the  last  day  of  the  session. 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  107 

Efforts  have  been  made  at  different  sessions  to 
change  the  voting  place  of  Grand  officers  from  the 
Grand  Lodge  to  the  subordinate  lodges,  but  with  no 
encouraging  assurance  of  success.  Grand  Warden 
John  B.  Hill's  resolution  in  1870,  and  J.  L.  Tit- 
comb's  resolution  in  1875  were  indefinitely  post- 


WM.  C.  RALSTON. 
One  of  the  leading  members  of  Templar,  No.  17,  was 
Brother  Ralston.  His  wrong  deeds  were  few,  his  great  and 
good  deeds  many.  No  true  case  of  distress  ever  left  his 
presence  empty  handed;  his  benevolence  was  unbounded.  He 
was  a  free  spender,  and  in  1869  alone  he  paid  out  over  $20,000 
in  entertaining  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge. 

poned.    Kern  Lodge,  No.  202,  took  up  the  subject 
in  1881,  and  in  their  resolution  they  declared : 

"We  are  in  favor  of  a  system  of  electing  the 
Grand  officers  by  all  the  Past  Grands  in 
the  jurisdiction,  such  election  to  be  holden 
in  the  subordinate  lodges,  for,  by  the  pres- 


108  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

ent  system  *  *  *  undue  advantage 
is  given  to  the  subordinate  lodges  in  the 
location  in  which  the  Grand  Lodge  is 
holden." 

The  subject  was  referred  to  a  committee  consist- 
ing of  Geo.  W.  Lewis,  Frank  G.  Beatty  and  F.  H. 
Payne,  and  they,  scoring  many  points  in  favor  of 
the  present  system  of  voting,  the  Lodge  accepted 
their  report  that  no  change  be  made. 

The  matter  would  not  die,  and  in  1895  it  was 
again  introduced  by  W.  W.  Phelps  of  Los  Angeles 
county,  our  present  Grand  Master.  His  resolution 
was  indefinitely  postponed,  but  in  the  following 
year  he  introduced  the  same  resolution,  which  was, 
briefly  stated — 

"That  at  the  first  regular  meeting  in  Decem- 
ber of  each  year  the  Past  Grands  of  each 
lodge  *  *  *  shall,  in  open  lodge,  pro- 
ceed to  vote  by  ballot  for  Grand  officers, 
the  returns  to  be  sent  to  the  Grand  Secre- 
tary within  sixty  days." 

The  committee  to  whom  this  matter  was  referred 
— -Karl  0.  Brueck,  of  No.  11;  Charles  A.  Swisler, 
No.  20;  W.  W.  Phelps,  No.  282;  Morris  M.  Estee, 
No.  123,  and  C.  W.  Baker,  No.  2,  recommended  the 
adoption  of  the  amendment,  but  again  as  in  1895 
the  Lodge  adopted  the  motion  of  Kepresentative 
Louderback,  that  the  amendment  be  indefinitely 
postponed.    The  amendment  to  elect  Grand  officers 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  109 

in  the  lodges  was  not  again  presented  by  south  of 
Tehachapi  representatives.  The  following  year 
W,  A.  Bonynge  of  Los  Angeles  was  elected  as  Grand 
Warden,  and  in  1899  Southern  California  Avelcomed 
the  second  Grand  Master  from  the  Southland. 

(a)  For  the  Grand  Master's  traveling  expenses,  annual 
appropriations  have  been  voted  by  the  Grand  Lodge  since 
1855,  E.  W.  Colt,  Grand  Master,  receiving  $200  that  year.  In 
1859  the  appropriation  v/as  raised  to  $500,  and  Grand  Master 
Hill,  1871,  was  the  first  to  receive  $1,000.  The  Grand  Lodge 
in  1896,  adopting  Grand  Master  P.  F.  Gosbey's  recommenda- 
tion voted  an  appropriation  of  $1,500,  the  amount  that  is  at 
present  paid. 

(b)  The  neglect  of  duty  of  many  of  the  Grand  Masters, 
from  various  causes,  was  clearly  in  evidence,  and  Grand  Mas- 
ter Randall,  visiting  Mt.  Horeb  Lodge,  No.  58,  learned  that 
they  had  not  seen  a  Grand  Master  for  sixteen  years,  Bohen 
making  the  last  previous  visit.  Stanislaus,  No.  170,  had  not 
received  a  visit  since  18G9  and  Millerton  Lodge,  Fresno, 
although  instituted  for  six  years,  had  never  seen  a  Grand 
officer.  One  little  lodge  in  the  far  north,  Marion,  No.  101, 
Siskiyou  county,  although  instituted  May  28th,  1861,  received 
no  official  visit  until  visited  by  Grand  Master  Smith  in  1884. 
It  is  not  surprising,  therefore,  that  Smith,  declining  to  adopt 
the  district  plan,  declared:  "My  sense  of  justice  impelled  me 
to  seek  put  the  weak  and  neglected  lodges." 

Not  only  the  far  distant  lodges,  but  many  near  by,  small  in 
membership,  were  left  to  shift  for  themselves.  Randall  found 
that  the  Humboldt  county'  lodges,  over  GOO  members,  only 
twenty-three  hours  by  steamer  from  San  Francisco,  had  seen  no 
Grand  Master  since  Bradford's  term,  1872;  and  Ocean  View 
Lodge,  No.  143,  but  thirty-three  miles  from  San  Francisco, 
instituted  in  1867,  received  from  Grand  Master  Randall,  1878, 
their  first  oflicial  visit. 


CHAPTER  VIL 

The  Order  in  foreign  lands— The  Silver  State  lodges— Wel- 
come to  the  oldest  lodge — Excelsior  Lodge,  No.  1 — Never 
visited  by  the  Grand  Master — Australia  seeks  admission — 
A.  D.  Meacham  there  establishes  the  Order — "This  was  sin- 
gular legislation" — Grand  Sire  Farnsworth  visits  California — 
The  effect  of  his  speech,  $1,200 — The  Grand  Sire  must  accom- 
plish the  work — Much  labor  in  a  short  time — Farnsworth  sails 
for  Germany — Foiled  because  of  war — Communicating  with 
Morse — Brother  Berheim's  good  work — Morse  interviews 
Bismarck — Instituting  of  a  lodge  in  Stuttgart — German  lodges 
send  $1,275 — New  York's  reception  to  Morse— P.  G.  P.  R. 
regalia  presented  Morse — Home  again  to  die — Death  and 
burial. 

To  those  brothers  not  well  learned  regarding  Cal- 
ifornia history,  it  may  seem  strange  that  this  work 
should  treat  of  the  Order  not  only  in  neighboring 
territories,  but  in  far  distant  lands.  But  as  Grand 
Master  Fox  says :  '^California  has  contributed  not  a 
little  towards  the  diffusion  of  our  Order  into  new 
fields.  Odd  Fellowship  in  Nevada  is  the  legitimate 
child  of  California.  The  Grand  Lodge  of  Australia 
may  be  accredited  to  us.  Missionaries  from  our 
lodges  have  planted  the  good  seed  of  our  Order  in 
Idaho  and  Montana,  and  a  member  of  our  Grand 
Lodge  *  *  *  erected  the  first  altar  to  Odd 
Fellowship  in  Arizona." 

When  the  great  mines  of  the  so-called  Silver  State 
were  discovered,  hundreds  of  California  Odd  Fel- 
lows immigrated  to  that  region,  and  soon  they 
erected  the  three-linked  shrine  in  every  principal 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  Ill 

mining  camp.  Without  any  legal  authority  they 
established  their  lodges,  and  anxious,  as  soon  as 
possible  to  be  in  fellowship  with  the  parent  body, 
they  requested  A.  D.  Meacham,  California's  S.  G. 
representative  that  year,  to  petition  the  Sovereign 
Grand  Lodge  to  place  Nevada  within  the  California 
jurisdiction.  He  complied  with  their  demand,  and 
the  S.  G.  L.  so  placed  them.  In  the  following  year, 
1861,  Grand  Master  Kibbe,  so  authorized  by  the 
Higher  power,  commissioned  Levi  Hite,  then  Grand 
Warden,  to  proceed  to  Nevada  and  institute  lodges 
in  Gold  Hill,  Virginia  City,  Carson  and  Silver  City. 
Early  in  tlie  spring  the  Warden  traveled  hither  and 
instituted  the  lodges.  Their  fast  increasing  mem- 
bership led  to  the  formation  of  lodges  in  other 
camps,  and  four  years  later,  with  ten  subordinate 
lodges,  aggregating  a  membership  of  587  members, 
nearly  all  former  California  Odd  Fellows,  they 
petitioned  the  Supreme  body  for  a  Grand  Lodge 
charter.  It  was  granted,  and  withdraAving  from 
California's  protecting  care,  Januai*y  3rd,  1867, 
they  instituted  a  Grand  Lodge,  the  third  on  the 
Pacific  Coast 

Two  years  previous  to  the  admission  of  Nevada, 
California's  jurisdiction  had  been  greatly  broad- 
ened by  the  admission  of  the  lodge  of  the  beautiful 
Sandwidi  islands,  Excelsior,  No.  1,  the  oldest  lodge 
west  of  the  Rocky  mountains.    They  petitioned  the 


112  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

Great  Councilors  to  place  them  in  the  California 
field,  they  up  to  this  time  having  reported  to  the 
S.  G.  L.  direct.  It  was  so  ordered,  and  Grand  Mas- 
ter McClelland  welcoming  them  to  California,  1865, 
said  in  his  report : 

^'We  welcome  our  brethren  of  the  Isles  of 
the  sea,     *     *     *     and  we  look  upon  this 
event  as  a* happy  illustration  of  the  spirit 
of  our  Order,  as  prophetic  of  the  accom- 
plishment of  its  mission  to  bind  the  world 
together  in  the  bonds  of  Friendship,  Love 
and  Truth." 
The  island  lodge  Avas  instituted  at  Honolulu  De- 
cember  10th,    1846,    by    Gilbert,  Watson,  an  Ohio 
physician.      When   the   emigration   began   flowing 
towards  Oregon,  Watson  concluded  to  locate  there 
and  institute  an  Odd  Fellows  lodge.    For  this  pur- 
pose he  obtained  from  Albert  Guild,  Deputy  Grand 
Sire  of  Massachusetts,  a  dispensation,  but  on  ar- 
rival at  Honolulu  he  concluded  to  there  remain. 
He  instituted  a  lodge  in  December,  one  of  the  char- 
ter members  being  a  sea  captain  who  had  just  ar- 
rived in  port.    Alexander  V.  Frazer  carried  them  a 
charter  issued  by  the  S.  G.  L.     In  1859  the  corner 
stone  of  their  first  building  was  laid,  and  in  Octo- 
ber, 1903,  they  dedicated  a  splendid  |50,000  temple. 
Our  new  brethren  were  far  distant,  2000  miles  of 
water  rolled  between,  hence  it  was  impossible,  ex- 
cept by  proxy,  for  any  Grand  Master  to  oflflcially 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  113 

visit  them.  During  the  eight  years  that  they  were 
in  this  jurisdiction,  twice  only  did  they  receive 
proxy  Grand  Master  visits.  Brother  Wm.  H.  Fox, 
an  honored  nieiuber  of  lone.  No.  51,  visiting  the 
islands  in  1866,  represented  Grand  Master  Ran- 
dolph, and  Past  Grand  Master  Martin  White  of 
Nevada,  in  1873,  acted  as  Grand  Master  Bradford's 
proxy.  This  visit  was  an  official  blunder,  as  the 
Grand  Secretary,  although  notified,  had  failed  for 
some  reason  to  inform  the  Grand  Master  that  the 
Honolulu  lodge  had,  the  previous  year,  returned  to 
the  jurisdiction  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge. 

Only  once  in  tlie  history  of  our  Order  have  we  had 
people  from  other  lands  knock  at  our  door  for 
admission.  Such  was  the  case,  however,  in  1858, 
and  in  May  of  that  year  Secretary  Johnson,  in  open- 
ing his  correspondence,  was  surprised  and  delighted 
to  receive  a  letter  from  the  Grand  Secretary  Of  the 
Manchester  Unity  (Odd  Fellows)  of  Australia, 
asking  if  it  would  be  i>ossible  for  them  to  affiliate 
with  American  Odd  Fellowship,  a  bill  of  exchange 
for  20  pounds  accompanying  the  communication. 
As  Johnson  had  no  authority  to  answer  the  letter, 
he  sent  it  to  the  S.  G.  L.,  and  it  was  favorably  re- 
ceived. 

They  took  no  action,  however,  except  to  authorize 
Grand  Secretary  Ridgely  to  fill  out  a  blank  com- 
mission for  a  Deputy  Grand  Sire  for  Australia, 


114  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

said  blank  being  sent  to  T.  Rodgers  Johnson 
authorizing  him  to  fill  in  the  name  of  any  well 
qualified  brother  willing  to  take  the  long  journey 
and  carry  out  the  work. 

Time  passed,  and  the  commission  lay  in  the  Sec- 
retary's office  until  ^'it  had  become  musty  with  age." 
In  the  meantime  Brother  A.  D.  Meacham,  a  P.  G. 
and  P.  G.  P.  of  San  Francisco,  sick  with  dyspepsia, 
was  advised  by  his  physician  to  try  a  sea  voyage  to 
Australia.  The  opportunity  was  now  at  hand  for 
the  founding  of  the  Order  in  the  far  distant  conti- 
ricnt,  and  Meacham  was  Avilling  to  undertake  the 
work.  ^^But,"  said  Grand  Master  Fox,  ''Brother 
Johnson  hesitated  about  the  right  to  issue  the  com- 
mission, and  consulted  me,  as  Grand  Master  of  the 
State,  and  after  a  full  consultation  we  determined 
to  assume  the  full  responsibility  and  the  commis- 
sion was  issued." 

To  provide  funds.  Bay  City  and  Yerba  Buena 
Lodges  each  appropriated  |375  from  their  treasury, 
afterwards  repaid,  and  September  10th,  1867, 
D.  G.  Sire  Meacham  sailed  on  his  splendid  mission 
for  humanity.  After  a  hard  fifty-eight  days'  voyage, 
sick  most  of  the  time,  he  landed  at  Melbourne,  and 
sent  his  letter  of  introduction  to  Wm.  Stirling, 
Grand  Master.  The  D.  G.  Sire  was  very  warmly 
welcomed.  Meetings  were  held  and  lodges  were 
instituted,  but  the  work  was  exceedingly  difficulty 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  115 

as  he  had  to  contend  against  the  Manchester  Unity 
and  the  age  limit,  all  of  the  English  orders  admit- 
ting initiates  at  the  age  of  18  (a).  The  representa- 
tives of  the  several  lodges  were  then  assembled,  and 
February  22d,  1867,  at  Gelong,  an  Australian 
Grand  Lodge  was  organized.  In  the  following  year, 
1867,  the  D.  G.  Sire  established  the  Order  in  New 
Zealand,  and  arrived  in  San  Francisco  in  time  to 
take  part  in  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  assembly, 
1869,  then  about  to  convene  in  San  Francisco. 

That  was  a  memorable  session,  for  they  adopted 
a  resolution  authorizing  Grand  Sire  Farnsworth  to 
found  our  Order  in  Germany,  "provided  it  could  be 
established  w  ithout  expense  to  the  Sovereign  Grand 
Lodge."  "This  was,"  as  Herman  Block  declared, 
"singular  legislation;  a  measure  is  approved, 
ordered  carried  out,  but  it  is  not  to  cost  anything." 
The  resolution  was  the  result  of  a  request  from  the 
Oregon  Grand  Lodge,  therein  introduced  by  F.  S. 
Ostheim  of  Minerva,  No.  19,  that  the  S.  G.  L.  permit 
the  founding  of  the  Order  in  the  German  Empire. 
Its  accomplishment  was  brought  about  in  a  singular 
manner. 

Grand  Sire  E.  D.  Farnsworth,  an  earnest,  strong 
worker  for  Odd  Fellowship,  always  enthused  the 
brothers  by  his  presence  and  speeches,  and  return- 
ing to  California  in  1870,  he  accepted  many  invita- 
tions to  visit  lodges.    Visiting  Germania  No.  116  on 


116  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

the  evening  of  April  6th,  it  was  proposed  to  march 
in  a  body,  accompanied  by  the  Past  Grand  Sire,  to 
I'emplar,  No.  17,  and  give  them  a  surprise.  The 
visit  was  of  a  nature  most  pleasing,  and  as  a  result 
Grand  Lodges  were  instituted  in  Germany  and 
SAvitzerland. 

The  speech  of  Farnsworth  was  the  kindling 
brand.  During  his  remarks  he  called  attention  to 
the  resolutions  of  the  Supreme  body,  and  their 
economical  proviso,  and  declared  that  although  he 
was  very  anxious  to  carry  out  the  mission,  he  was 
powerless  in  the  matter,  as  the  S.  G.  L.  had  no  funds 
for  that  purpose.  Templar  Lodge  (b),  then  the 
Avealthiest  lodge  in  the  State,  was  deeply  interested, 
and  Brother  L.  E.  Pratt  began  making  inquiries  as 
to  the  expense  of  such  a  mission.  Farnsworth  gave 
them  figures  and  the  result  was,  the  lodge  by  a 
unanimous  vote  appropriated  |1,200  to  be  expended 
in  establishing  our  Order  on  Teutonic  soil. 

As  California  had  made  this  splendid  mission 
f)Ossible,  Farnsworth  returning  East  expected  to 
honor  the  State  by  commissioning  John  A.  Morse, 
then  in  Germany  seeking  health,  to  perform  the 
work.  In  fact,  he  informed  Porter  that  he  would 
give  Morse  the  commission,  and  as  it  later  proved, 
had  he  done  so.  Templar's  |1,200  would  have  gone 
directly  towards  its  intended  purpose  and  much 
bitter  feeling  would  have  been  avoided.    But  Farns- 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 


117 


worth's  Eastern  brothers  finally  convinced  him  that 
none  but  the  Grand  Sire  himself  should  undertake 
such  an  important  mission,  and  so  he  began  prepar- 
ing for  the  work. 

There  was  much  to  accomplish  in  a  short  period 
of  time.  Letters  of  introduction  to  obtain  to  our 
Minister  in  Berlin,  George  Bancroft,  so  ignorant 


ODD  FELLOW'S  HOSPITAL  (SUTTER'S  FORT). 
The  Sacramento  Odd  Fellow's  and  Mason's  Relief  Asso- 
ciation purchasing  this  fort  in  1849,  at  a  cost  of  $15,000, 
fitted  it  up  for  use  as  a  hospital.  There  all  sick  brothers 
were  cared  for  free  of  cost  until  they  recovered,  the  phy- 
sicians. Dr.  John  F.  Morse  and  Dr.  J.  B.  Stillman,  freely 
giving  their  services.  Hundreds  died,  said  Brother  Winn,  and 
so  far  as  possible,  their  names  and  addresses  were  recorded 
and  their  death  announced  to  their  Eastern  Lodges. 

of  his  native  country,  although  he  wrote  its  history, 
that  he  had  no  knowledge  of  such  an  Order  as  Odd 
Fellowship;  and  to  Bismark,  tlie  Iron  Chancellor, 
for  without  his  consent  the  Order  could  not  be 
founded.  He  could  only  be  approached  through  the 
German  Ambassador,  Baron  Gerolt,  and  to  Wash- 


118  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

ington  Farnsworth  hastened  to  see  him.  The  Grand 
Sire  had  requested  Frank  Austin  of  the  New  Age  to 
accompany  him  to  Germany,  much  to  the  latter's 
surprise,  and  resigning  from  his  editorial  position, 
he  hurried  East  and  accompanied  Farnsworth  in 
his  visit  to  the  Ambassador.  They  were  introduced 
by  Schuler  Colfax,  P.  S.  G.  R.,  and  the  two  Odd 
Fellows  explained  fully  to  the  German  the  objects, 
purposes  and  work  of  the  Order.  The  Baron,  after 
studying  the  subject  for  a  time,  gave  Farnsworth  a 
letter  of  introduction  to  Bismark,  and  later  he 
Vv  rote  to  ex- Vice  President  Colfax : 

"I  have  reported  to  my  Government  in  favor 
of  establishing  this  new  tie  of  the  friendly 
relations  now  existing  between  the  people 
of  the  United  States  and  Germany." 

The  Grano  Sire,  now  returned  to  New  York,  and 
July  8th,  1870,  on  the  Germanic  steamer  Main, 
accompanied  by  Frank  Austin,  he  sailed  for  Ger- 
many. In  vessels  and  tugs  they  were  accompanied 
as  far  as  the  Narrows  by  hundreds  of  Odd  Fellows, 
and  ^^gluck  auf  (good  luck)  was  their  parting 
salute ;  but  ill  luck  awaited  them. 

On  arrival  in  English  waters  they  learned  that 
war  had  been  declared  between  France  and  Ger- 
many; in  fact,  a  French  man-of-war  was  then  in 
search  of  the  German  steamer,  and  it  was  impossi- 
ble for  the  Grand  Sire  to  proceed  on  his  journey. 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  119 

Farnsworth  was  in  a  dilemma.  What  was  he  to 
do,  what  course  pursue?  Having  gone  so  far  on  a 
mission  so  important,  he  had  no  desire  to  turn  back ; 
and  yet,  war  was  so  uncertain  none  could  tell  when 
the  lines  would  be  open.  He  could  not  long  remain 
in  England,  as  he  must  be  present  at  the  September 
session  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge.  Frank 
Austin  could  not  accomplish  the  work,  as  he  was  not 
an  encampment  member;  and  so,  as  a  last  resort, 
Farnsworth  must,  if  possible,  communicate  with 
John  F.  Morse. 

Morse  was  then  in  Dresden,  some  four  hours'  ride 
from  Berlin.  Farnsworth  did  not  know  this,  how- 
ever, and  so  he  began  telegraphing,  probably  ex- 
pending the  whole  of  Templar's  |1,200  in  tele- 
graphic and  other  communication  expenses.  Grand 
Sire  Stuart,  in  1872,  so  reported. 

After  several  days'  telegraphing  Morse  was 
located,  and  then  a  lengthy  correspondence  was  car- 
ried on  between  the  two  brothers,  all  of  which  let- 
ters are  in  the  New  Age  of  that  year.  At  first  Morse 
refused  to  accept  the  commission,  and  July  30th 
he  gives  his  reasons,  he  saying  in  part : 

"I  can  scarcely  tell  you  how  much  I  would 
like  to  see  you  and  consult  with  you  upon 
this  subject.  But  tlien,  a  number  of  my 
accjuaintances  who  have  started  for  Eng- 
land have  been  so  interrupted  and  delayed 


120  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

that  I  do  not  feel  satisfied  at  this  time  that 
it  would  be  right  to  leave  my  wife  and  four 
children  alone,  no  one  €an  tell  how  long. 
I  am  residing  in  Dresden,  and  it  is  thought 
the  line  will  be  open  for  travel  in  a  few 
days.  But  there  is  such  a  stream  of  sol- 
diers going  to  the  front  it  may  not  be  open 
for  a  month." 

Evidently  the  road  was  soon  opened,  for  a  few 
days  later  Farnsworth  was  surprised  and  gratified 
to  receive  from  Morse  the  following  telegram : 
"Will  start  Monday  for  London.     Morse." 

He  safely  reached  the  English  Capital,  and  after 
a  long  talk  Grand  Sire  Farnsworth,  August  13th, 
commissioned  John  F.  Morse  as  Deputy  Grand  Sire, 
he  to  establish  the  Order  in  Germany  and  Switzer- 
land. 

Some  two  months  previous  to  this  time,  Nathan 
Porter,  a  very  warm  brother  to  Morse,  wrote  him 
of  the  intention  of  Farnsworth  to  commission  him 
(Morse)  to  carry  on  the  German  work,  and  he  told 
him  in  Stuttgart  he  would  find  Brother  M.  Berheim, 
"and  the  brother  was  a  noble  worker."  Morse 
immediately  returned  to  'Germany,  determined,  if 
possible,  to  carry  out  the  important  trust  given  him, 
although  scarcely  able  to  perform  it  because  of  ill 
health,  and  he  at  once  w^rote  to  Brother  Berheim, 
giving  him  full  particulars,  and  requesting  his 
assistance  in  instituting  a  lodge  in  Stuttgart. 


CALIFORNIA    ODD   FELLOWSHIP.  121 

In  a  few  weeks,  September  12th,  Morse  heard 
from  the  brother.  He  had  advertised  in  the  German 
press,  calling  for  a  meeting  of  Odd  Fellows,  and 
four  German  brothers,  members  of  the  Order  in  the 
United  States,  answered  the  call.  He  then  obtaine<l 
the  names  of  four  Germans  willing  to  join  the  lodge, 
and  Morse  learning  of  Brother  Berheim's  success, 
hastened  to  Stuttgart. 

In  the  meantime  the  Deputy  saw  Bancroft,  our 
Minister  to  German}^,  and  obtained  from  him  a  let- 
ter of  introduction  to  Bismark.  He  also  presented 
Baron  Gerolt's  letter,  and  letters  also  from  many 
American  statesmen,  including  Carl  Schurz;  but 
to  obtain  the  Chancellor's  consent  to  the  introduc- 
tion of  Odd  Fellowship  into  the  German  Empire 
was  a  very  difficult  task.  The  beneficial  features  of 
the  Order  had  no  weight  whatever  with  Bismark, 
for,  said  Herman  Block,  the  Government,  by  law, 
provides  for  the  poor. 

Morse  finally  succeeded  in  his  object,  and  return- 
ing to  Stuttgart,  several  preliminary  meetings  were 
held  in  Morse's  room  in  the  hotel.  The  charter 
members  were  instructed  in  the  work,  and  Decem- 
ber 12th,  1870,  Morse  penned  the  following  lines 
to  Nathan  Porter: 


"Last  night,  with  the  assistance  of  Brother 
Frank  Austin,  wliom  I  got  from  London,  I 
instituted    Wurtenburg    Lodge,    No.     1, 


122  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

I.  O.  O.  F.,  with  Moses  Berheim  as  sitting 
Past  Grand,  and  J.  Myers,  a  charter  mem- 
ber. I  cannot  tell  you  how.  much  we  owe  to 
M.  Berheim.  Gave  the  lodge  their  new 
regalia,  and  a  gavel  to  the  Vice-Grand 
from  the  trees  of  California.  I  presented 
a  complete  set  of  books  and  stationery, 
with  a  similar  gavel,  to  the  Noble  Grand." 

The  founding  of  the  Order  in  a  foreign  land  cost 
considerable  money,  as  the  natives  at  first,  having 
no  interest  and  not  understanding  its  principles, 
would  not  contribute  a  dollar.  There  is  no  record  of 
Morse's  having  received  any  money  from  Farns- 
worth,  and  as  the  expenses  were  heavy  he  expended 
over  |1,000  from  his  own  pocket  in  paying  them. 
In  1872  the  S.  G.  L.  voted  him  a  warrant  for  the  full 
amount,  but  he  refused  to  draw  the  money.  His 
expenses  were  so  heavy  he  called  upon  Grand  Sire 
Stuart  for  funds.  The  Grand  Sire  called  upon  the 
States  and  a  few  responded,  Aurora  Lodge  of  Ten- 
nessee, Farnsworth's  own  State,  making  the  first 
response,  |100.  March  9th  Morse  said:  "With 
trembling  hands  I  opened  a  letter  from  old  Har- 
mony," and  he  found  therein  a  draft  for  |900  from 
Harmony,  Germania  and  Herman  Lodges,  followed 
later  by  |275  from  Bay  City,  Allemania,  Franklin 
and  Wildey  Encampments,  a  grand  total  of  |1,175. 
Instituting  a  second  lodge  in  Germany,  Morse 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  123 

then  visited  Zurich,  Switzerland,  and  the  Govern- 
ment gave  him  a  cordial  welcome. 

Helvetia  Lodge,  No.  1,  he  instituted  June  19th, 
1871,  but  his  system  at  this  time  was  fast  breaking 
down  under  the  severe  strain ;  in  fact,  he  came  near 
dying  of  exhaustion  while  in  Zurich,  and  hurrying 
back  to  his  native  land,  he  arrived  in  New  York 
August  19th,  1872. 

On  arrival  he  was  welcomed  by  a  score  of  broth- 
ers, and  to  him  they  gave,  August  20th,  "a  magnifi- 
cent reception  to  our  worthy  chief,"  as  the  Heart 
and  Hand  expressed  it.  The  reception  was  given  in 
the  New  York  Academy  of  Music,  which  was 
crowded  to  overflowing  with  the  nation's  leading 
men.  Upon  the  platform  sat  Grand  Sire  Stuart, 
Grand  Secretary  Kidgely,  Past  Grand  Sires  Ellison 
and  Kennedy,  the  officers  of  the  Sovereign  Grand 
Lodge,  twelve  Past  Grand  officers  and  the  Grand 
officers  of  New  York,  New  Jersey  and  Connecticut. 
A  splendid  program  was  given  (c),  ending  with  a 
song  composed  and  sung  by  Wm.  H.  Barnes,  Past 
Grand  Master  of  Georgia.  The  following  is  the  first 
verse,  sung  to  the  tune  of  ^Mohn  Brown :" 

"The  army  of  Freedom  is  gathering  its  men. 
From  mountain  and  valley,  from  hilltop  and  glen. 
Fraternity  our  motto,  we  are  valiant  and  strong; 
Come  join  our  army  and  go  marching  along." 

The  California  Grand  Lodge  wishing  to  show 


124  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

their  high  esteem  for  the  brother  who  had  at  the 
risk  of  life  and  health  founded  the  Order  in  a 
foreign  land,  May  12th  elected  him  as  their  repre- 
sentative to  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge.  To  still 
further  express  their  love,  his  own  lodge,  California, 
No.  1,  and  other  lodges,  presented  Morse  with  a 
"costly  |350  collar  and  jewel  18  carats  gold."  The 
beautiful  and  appropriate  gift  was  carried  to 
Chicago  by  Nathan  Porter,  and  it  was  presented  to 
Morse  on  the  floor  of  the  Lodge  by  Secretary 
Ridgely.  When  Morse  died,  he  bequeathed  this 
regalia  and  his  old  collar  to  the  first  member  of 
No.  1  fortunate  enough  to  be  elected  Sovereign 
Grand  Representative.  Colin  Boyd,  the  sturdy  Cal- 
ifornian  chief,  was  the  fortunate  brother,  and  in 
California  Lodge  May  31st,  1875,  he  was  presented 
the  regalia.  On  his  overland  homeward  journey 
Morse  received  a  continuous  ovation  all  along  the 
line,  and  on  arrival  in  San  Francisco  September 
30th  he  was  greeted  by  an  immense  body  of  Odd 
Fellows. 

Visiting  many  different  lodges  by  invitation,  he 
received  in  each  lodge  a  rousing  reception,  and  at 
a  later  reception.  May  14th,  1873,  he  was  presented 
a  neat  gift  from  the  German  Grand  Lodge — a  set  of 
laudatory  resolutions  handsomely  framed,  together 
with  a  portrait  of  the  first  Grand  Lodge  representa- 
tives.    The  resolutions  were  expressed  to  America 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  125 

by  Grand  Sire  Hugo  Walllieim,  and  presented  to 
Morse  by  Grand  Master  Bradford. 

Death  is  in  the  world  and  the  hand  of  the 
despoiler  is  among  the  works  of  the  Almighty — all 
tliat  live  must  die.  Deputy  Grand  Sire  Morse, 
although  a  hero  crowned,  continued  to  grow  more 
feeble  and  December  30th,  1874,  life  fled.  Through- 
out his  life  his  thoughts  Avere  as  his  last  words: 
"God  bless  my  wife;  God  bless  my  country;  God 
bless  the  I.  O.  O.  F." 

His  body,  viewed  by  thousands  of  loving  friends, 
lay  in  state  in  Covenant  hall  until  Sunday,  January 
3d.  On  that  peaceful  afternoon  he  Avas  buried  with 
the  full  honors  of  the  Order,  Odd  Fellows  being 
present  from  all  parts  of  the  State.  The  hall  was 
crowded,  and  the  very  impressive  service  consisted 
of  an  address  by  the  Rev.  Horatio  Stebbins,  the 
choir  singing  "Rock  of  Ages"  and  "Nearer,  My  God, 
to  Thee."  The  service  over,  the  subordinate  lodges, 
encampment  Grand  officers  and  friends,  marched  to 
the  Odd  Fellows  Rest,  preceded  by  a  band  of  fifty 
pieces.  On  Taylor  street  the  procession  was  dis- 
missed and  the  funeral  cortege  took  passage  on* the 
cars  for  the  cemetery.  On  arrival,  the  service  of  the 
Order  was  read  by  Grand  Master  Miller  and  Rev. 
D.  D.  Rexford,  Grand  Chaplain. 

And  there  in  the  Silent  Lodge  they  left  him — 


126  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

"Life's  labor  done, 
Serenely  to  his  final  rest  he  passed ; 
While  the  soft  memories  yet 
Linger,  like  sunset  hues  when  that  bright 
orb  has  set." 


(a)  Some  years  later  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  so 
amended  the  constitution  as  to  permit  the  admission  of  all 
eligible  candidates  in  foreign  countries  at  the  age  of  18. 

(b)  Templar  Lodge  at  this  time  was  in  the  zenith  of  its 
glory.  With  a  membership  of  426,  the  largest  lodge  in  the 
State,  and  assets  of  $35,166,  it  contained  men  famous  in 
finance,  law,  commerce,  politics,  art  and  science,  including 
such  names  as  Wm.  C.  Ralston,  Solomon  Sharp,  Samuel 
Brannan,  David  J.  Staples,  John  F.  Miller,  George  C.  Perkins, 
Leonidas  Pratt,  Isaac  Biuxome,  George  C.  Hickox  and  Judge 
S.  G.  Beatty. 

(c)  The  following  was  the  program:  Overture,  Seventy- 
first  Regiment  band;  introduction,  by  John  A.  Kennedy,  P.  G. 
Sire;  music,  band;  anthem,  "Sound  the  Loud  Notes  of  Praise;" 
response,  John  F.  Morse,  D.  G.  Sire;  ode,  "With  Joy  We  Lift 
the  Voice  of  Song;"  congratulatory  address,  Wm.  Ellison, 
P.  G.  Sire;  address,  Grand  Secretary  Ridgely;  address,  John 
A,  Stoakes,  P.  G.  Master  of  Pennsylvania;  address,  James 
Saunders,  P.  G.  Master  of  Maryland;  hymn;  band;  song, 
Wm.  H.  Barnes. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

John  B.  Harmon — Dedication  of  Oakland  hall — First 
Rebekah  degree  lodge — Grand  Master's  jewels — Harmon 
elected  Deputy  Grand  Sire — Reorganizes  the  Order  in 
Australia — His  departure  for  Auckland — The  work  a  success — 
Grand  receptions  to  Grand  Sire  Harmon — Death  of  Ridgely — 
The  California  memorial  service. 

Some  one  has  said,  men  are  bom  to  command. 
Such  seems  to  be  the  case  in  the  fraternal  life  of 
John  B.  Harmon,  lawyer,  orator.  Grand  Master  and 
Grand  Sire.  A  non-affiliating  Odd  Fellow  in  1858, 
three  years  later  we  find  him  Noble  Grand  of 
Capitol  Lodge,  No.  87,  he  succeeding  Morris  M. 
Estee.  He  represented  that  lodge  in  the  Grand 
Lodge  in  1862,  and  four  years  later  agaiii  took  his 
seat  as  representative  of  Apollo  Lodge,  No.  123.  He 
now  entered  the  race  for  official  honors.  Harmon, 
John  B.  Hill  and  Silas  Brockway  of  Mokelumne 
Hill  Lodge,  No.  44,  running  for  Grand  Warden. 
Brockway  received  111,  Hill  72  and  Marmon  40 
votes.  In  1868  Harmon  was  elected  Warden, 
Brockway  Deputy  Grand  Master,  and  Charles  Has- 
well  Grand  Master.  In  that  year  the  Sovereign 
Grand  Lodge  accepted  the  invitation  to  assemble  in 
California  in  September,  1869,  and  the  honor  of 
welcoming  the  distinguished  guests  belongs  to  the 
Grand   Master.     Fate,   however,   intervened,   and 


128  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

Brock  way  dying  March  30th,  1869  (a),  Harmon 
was  installed  as  Grand  Master,  death  for  the  first 
time  making  vacant  the  highest  State  chair. 

Before  Harmon  had  been  six  months  in  office  he 
was  invited  to  a  second  pleasant  duty — that  of  dedi- 
cating, December  31st,  1869,  a  new  hall  for  the 
Oakland  lodges,  they  having  erected  a  three-story 
building  of  wood,  corner  of  Franklin  and  Eleventh 
streets,  at  a  cost  of  |19,000.  The  brethren,  over 
300  in  number,  assembling  at  their  old  hall,  corner 
of  Twelfth  and  Broadway,  marched  to  the  new  hall, 
the  Oakland  Guard  acting  as  their  escort,  to  the 
music  of  Schribner's  band. 

The  beautiful  hall  was  croAvded,  and  the  dedica- 
tory exercises  were  conducted  by  Grand  Master 
Harmon,  assisted  by  L.  L.  Alexander,  John  A.  Mc- 
Clelland, T.  Rodgers  Johnson  and  Dr.  Thomas  H. 
Sinex.  During  the  ceremony  a  male  quartet,  with 
Washington  Elliott  as  leader,  gave  many  pleasing 
selections,  and  Harmon  delivered  an  oration.  The 
fun  closed  with  a  ball  given  on  the  first  floor  of  the 
building. 

Another  honor  accorded  to  Past  Grand  Master 
Harmon  was  that  of  instituting  California's  first 
Eebekah  Lodge,  California,  No.  1,  June  30th,  1870. 
The  friends  of  the  Rebekahs  had  been  working 
unceasingly  in  the  highest  body  for  the  advance  of 
the  degree,  and  they  succeeded  in  1868  in  having  the 


CALIFORNIA    ODD   FELLOWSHIP.  129 

S.  G.  L.  adopt  a  resolution  permitting  Grand 
Lodges  to  institute  Rebekali  Lodges,  with  the  power 
of  conferring  the  degree  (b),  holding  regular  stated 
meetings,  and  electing  their  own  members  and 
officers. 


LELAND  STANFORD. 
Governor  and  Senator,  was  an  Odd  Fellow  of  high  de- 
gree. A  member  of  Sacramento  Lodge  No.  2,  he  was  a  direc- 
tor of  the  proposed  Odd  Fellows  College  and  Home,  to  which 
he  gave  $20,000  for  the  founding  of  a  Professorship.  The  pro- 
ject was  not  carried  out,  but  his  work  for  humanity  was  later 
realized,  in  Stanford  University. 

The  lodge  was  instituted  with  fifty-seven  charter 

members,  and  the  following  officers  were  installed : 

F.  P.  Dann,  N.  G. ;    Sister  C.   W.   Conor,  V.   G. ; 

J.  P.  G.  Miller,  Secretary,  and  Sister  Hannah  Kyle, 


130  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

Treasurer.  Dann,  who  was  a  very  enthusiastic 
Eebekah,  was  three  times  elected  Noble  Grand,  the 
lodge  at  his  last  installation  presenting  him  with  a 
silver  table  service. 

"This  degree  is  the  crowning  glory  of  Odd  Fel- 
lowship," said  Grand  Master  Haswell,  and  he 
earnestly  recommended  that  the  Grand  Lodge,  1869, 
authorize  the  degree.  The  subject  was  referred  to 
a  committee,  with  David  Louderback  as  chairman, 
and  they  reported  a  resolution  that  a  committee  of 
three  be  appointed  to  institute  Rebekah  Lodges. 
Wm.  H.  Hill  moved  the  adoption  of  the  report,  but 
the  Lodge  was  anti-Rebekahs,  and  they  adopted 
Past  Grand  Master  Fox's  motion,  that  the  whole 
subject  be  laid  over  until  the  next  session. 

In  that  session  the  subject  was  not  called  up,  for 
there  was  much  opposition  then  against  the  intro- 
duction of  the  "female  lodges  ;'^  nor  was  the  subject 
mentioned  in  the  Grand  Lodge  until  Grand  Master 
C  W.  Dannals  declared  in  his  report,  1871,  that 
Rebekah  Lodges  had  been  instituted,  California, 
No.  1,  at  San  Francisco ;  Naomi,  No.  2,  at  Truckee, 
Nevada  county;  Millville,  No.  3,  in  Shasta  county. 
That  year  the  Grand  Lodge  gave  the  Rebekah 
Lodges  a  constitution. 

Past  Grand  Masters  Haswell  and  Harmon  were 
the  first  to  receive  those  beautiful  diamond-set 
jewels   that  are  now  presented   to   each   retiring 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  131 

Grand  Master.  It  had  been  the  custom  in  earlier 
years  to  present  some  Grand  Masters  with  costly 
gifts  (c),  while  other  retiring  officers  received  noth- 
ing. This  created  dissatisfaction,  and  to  serve  alike 
each  Past  officer  the  lodge,  1869,  adopted  the  C.  O. 
Burton  resolution — 

"That  in  the  future  this  R.  W.  G.  Lodge 
presents  the  retiring  Grand  Master,  in- 
cluding Grand  Master  HasAvell,  with  a 
Past  Grand's  jewel." 

The  glory  of  life  is  in  good  deeds  well  performed, 
l)ut  there  is  another  glory  that  may  be  added  to  it, 
that  of  being  elected  to  the  highest  gift  in  the  pos- 
session of  Odd  Fellowship,  the  Grand  Sire.  John 
B.  Harmon  having  within  a  period  of  ten  years 
passed  from  the  Warden's  chair  in  Capitol  Lodge 
to  a  seat  in  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  now  sought 
its  highest  honor.  The  stepping  stone  to  the  throne 
was  the  office  of  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  and  on  the 
third  ballot  for  that  office  California  came  out 
ahead,  with  a  vote  of  seventy-three  out  of  a  total 
vote  of  138.  It  was  a  high  honor,  for  as  Colin  M. 
Boyd,  S.  G.  R.,  declared :  "The  compliment  was  all 
the  more  expressive  from  the  fact  that  Brother 
Barmon's  competitors  were  from  among  the  most 
eminent  representatives  to  that  Grand  body." 

Before  Harmon  had  been  many  months  in  office 
there  came  to  him  an  unexpected  duty,  namely. 


132  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

the  straightening  out,  if  possible,  of  the  complica- 
tions of  the  Order  then  existing  in  Australasia. 
A.  D.  Meacham  founded  the  Order  in  that  far  dis- 
tant land,  but  in  some  manner  confusion  arose 
regarding  the  supreme  authority,  and  New  Zealand 
and  Australia  each  laid  claim  to  the  highest  power. 

^'Appeal  after  appeal  came  up  from  our  brethren 
*  *  *  for  a  new  commission,''  and  the  Power 
Supreme  in  1877  empowered  and  requested  Grand 
Sire.  Stokes  to  "effect  an  adjustment  of  the  compli- 
cations there  existing."  The  Grand  Sire  refused, 
or  was  unable  to  perform  the  work,  and  he  called 
upon  the  Deputy  Grand  Sire  to  perform  it.  Har- 
mon refused,  because  of  the  great  business  sacri- 
fice he  would  be  compelled  to  make,  but  unfortu- 
nately for  him,  from  a  financial  standpoint,  a  letter 
from  Ridgely  caused  him  to  change  his  mind  and 
undertake  the  work. 

I  quote  a  portion  of  his  answer  to  Ridgely,  for  in 
the  whole  history  of  Odd  Fellowship  there  is  seen 
no  stronger  devotion  to  duty,  for  in  the  acceptance 
of  this  trust  his  large  practice  as  a  lawyer  was 
ruined,  and  he  died,  1899,  in  poverty.  Notice  the 
sublimity  of  his  last  thought,  "Money  weighs  noth- 
ing as  against  love  and  duty." 

"I  have  struggled  hard  to  arrange  my  busi- 
ness so  that  either  on  March  18th  or  April 
15th  I  may  start.    The  trouble  is,  the  great 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  133 

sacrifice  a  law}  er  in  full  practice  in  a  large 
city  makes,  when  he  quits  his  profession 
for  so  long  a  time  as  the  mission  to  x\us- 
tralia  requires.  But  having  suffered  much 
from  this  cause  on  one  occasion  hereto- 
fore, I  may  as  well  suffer  a  little  more. 
Besides,  what  a  man  does  for  his  fellow 
man  will  count  largely  in  the  balance  sheet 
of  his  life.  He  may  lose  som.e  money,  but 
in  the  great  cause  for  humanity  money 
weighs  nothing  as  against  love  and  duty." 

The  S.  G.  L.  appropriated  |1,000  for  the  mission, 
"and,"  says  Charles  Fox,  the  Grand  Lodge  histor- 
ian, "Harmon  was  filled  with  anxiety  lest  he  should 
bo  unable  to  accomplish  the  mission  because  of  the 
inadequacy  of  the  appropriation."  Yerba  Buena 
Lodge  and  Bay  City  Lodge  came  to  his  relief,  each 
appropriating  |350,  afterward  refunded  by  the 
S.  G.  L.,  and  Harmon  sailed  on  the  steamer  of  April 
15th. 

On  the  morning  of  that  day  in  Covenant  hall  the 
brethren  assembled  to  bid  him  good-bye.  Speeches 
were  made  by  Colin  M.  Boyd,  John  P.  Miller  and 
others,  and  as  the  time  of  the  departure  of  the 
steamer  drew  near  loud  calls  were  made  for  Har- 
mon. AVith  a  voice  choking  with  emotion  he  arose 
and  said  : 

"Brethren,   the  time  is  too  short  for  re- 
marks.    Tliis  meeting  is  grateful  to  me, 


134  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

but  my  heart  is  heavy,  as  I  have  just 
parted  from  my  family,  and  they  are  sad. 
I  am  going  to  Australia  in  fulfillment  of  a 
promise  I  made  to  myself  years  ago,  to  do 
my  whole  duty  as  it  arose  day  by  day.    The 
duty  of  the  present  hour  seems  to  me  to  be 
to  leave  my  family  and  abandon  my  busi- . 
ness — for  that  is  what  it  is — to  go  on  this 
foreign    mission.     *     *     *     Here   in    old 
Covenant  hall  I  put  my  arms  around  all  of 
you,  and  bid  3^ou  God  speed." 
The  brethren  then,  arm  in  arm,  forming  a  pro- 
cession, marched  to  the  steamer  Zealand. 

The  vessel  arriving  at  Auckland,  New  Zealand, 
March  7th,  the  brothers  gave  Harmon  a  warm  greet- 
ing, and  in  his  honor  a  dinner  was  given  in  the 
Theater  Royal  hotel.  The  Deputy  Grand  Sire  re- 
maining a  month  in  New  Zealand,  succeeded  in 
straightening  out  the  difl&culties,  and  then  sailing 
for  Victoria,  Australia,  he  arrived  May  7th.  The 
brothers  assembled  in  large  numbers  and  escorted 
Harmon  to  the  Victoria  Club  house,  where  he  was 
to  reside. 

His  work  there  was  satisfactory,  and  the  lodges 
in  Australia,  as  they  did  in  New  Zealand,  surren- 
dered to  him  their  charters.  In  return  he  gave  to 
Australia  a  Supreme  Lodge  charter,  the  Supreme 
Body  to  meet  in  Victoria.  New  Zealand  was  given  a 
Grand  Lodge  charter,  they  to  report  to  the  Sover- 
eign Grand  body  at  Victoria. 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  185 

Harmon,  having  finished  his  work,  sailed  July 
18th  for  San  Francisco  on  the  City  of  Sydney,  and 
arriving  August  14th,  was  welcomed  home. 


JOHN  B.  HARMON,  P.  G.  S. 
John  B.  Harmon,  born  in  Ohio  October  29th,  1822,  obtaining 
a  liberal  education,  studied  law,  and  at  the  age  of  22  was 
admitted  to  the  bar.  Removing  to  New  Orleans  in  1848,  he 
was  initiated  into  Templar,  No.  16,  and  immigrating  to  Cali- 
fornia, in  1853,  seven  years  later,  'joined  Capitol  Lodge, 
No.  87.  He  removed  to  San  Francisco  in  1866,  and  becoming 
a  charter  member  of  Apollo  Lodge  later  removed  to  Oakland 
and  became  a  charter  member  and  the  first  Noble  Grand  of 
Fountaih  Lodge.  He  passed  through  the  chairs  in  No.  87, 
entered  the  Grand  Lodge  in  1862,  and  was  for  six  years  on 
the  Committee  of  Appeals.  He  was  elected  Grand  Representa- 
tive in  1870,  served  in  72-74-76,  and  for  thirty-five  years  he 
was  a  faithful,  hard-working  Odd  Fellow. 

In  September,  1878,  Harmon  was  installed  as 
Grand  Sire,  the  only  brother  so  honored  this  side  of 


136  CALIFORNIA    ODD   FELLOWSHIP. 

the  Rocky  mountains,  and  immediately  Represen- 
tatives VV.  S.  Winn  and  Colin  M.  Boyd  wired  the 
good  news  ^'home."  Returning  to  California,  he 
was  given  many  complimentary  receptions,  Warren, 
Ohio,  his  old  childhood  home,  greeting  him  on  the 
route.  Reaching  the  State  line,  a  delegation  of 
Sacramento  Odd  Fellows  met  him  at  Roseville  and 
escorted  the  Grand  Sire  into  Sacramento.  In  the 
Capitol  building  a  welcome  was  given  him  by  New- 
ton Booth.  Visiting  his  old  lodge  in  the  evening, 
Capitol,  No.  87,  he  was  introduced  by  Grove  L. 
Johnson,  and  Harmon,  in  an  hour  and  a  half  speech, 
reviewed  the  early  times  of  Odd  Fellowship  in  Sac- 
ramento and  gave  an  account  of  his  Australian 
journey.  M.  M.  Estee  also  made  a  short  address. 
The  brothers  then  marching  to  the  Capitol  hotel, 
sat  down  to  a  fine  banquet.  Returning  to  San  Fran- 
cisco October  18th,  the  Grand  Sire  was  tendered  a 
reception  by  all  the  city  lodges,  and  later  Fountain 
Lodge,  No.  190,  welcomed  their  first  Noble  Grand, 
Harmon. 

In  the  closing  month  of  his  term  of  office  the 
Grand  Sire  was  directed  to  perform  a  sad  yet  pleas- 
ing duty,  that  of  installing,  for  the  last  time.  Grand 
Secretary  Ridgely,  "that  Nestor  of  Odd  Fellow- 
ship," as  Grand  Master  Louderback  called  him,  who 
for  nearly  a  half  century  had  been  the  Correspond- 
ing Secretary  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge.  The  old 


CALIFORNIA    ODD   FELLOWSHIP.  137 

man,  too  feeble  to  leave  his  room,  was  again  elected 
as  Secretary  by  the  S.  G.  L.,  and  Grand  Sire  Har- 
nlon  was  instructed  to  install  him.  "He  sat  in  his 
chair,"  said  Harmon,  "assenting  to  but  not  repeat- 
ing the  obligation,  and  not  understanding  me  when 
I  said  to  him,  'this  is  the  last  of  the  obligation,'  in  a 
whisper  he  answered,  ^yes,  the  last'." 

"He  departed  this  life  ripe  in  years,  full  of 
honors,"  November  16th,  1881,  and  Davis  Louder- 
back,  Grand  Master,  issued  a  proclamation  an- 
nouncing his  death.  His  funeral  took  place  Novem- 
ber 20th,  and  by  telegraph  the  Grand  Lrodge 
directed  acting  Secretary.  Theo.  R.  Ross  to  procure 
for  the  G.  L.  and  the  Veterans  two  large  floral 
pieces,  "The  Hour  Glass"  and  "The  Setting  Sun," 
and  they  wired  the  California  Senator,  John  P. 
Miller,  then  in  New  York,  to  represent  the  Grand 
Lodge,  but  he  answered,  "Impossible  to  attend  the 
funeral." 

A  memorial  service  was  held  in  San  Francisco 
Sunday,  December  4th,  in  honor  of  this  illustrious 
Odd  Fellow,  and  the  Grand  Opera  House  was 
crowded  from  pit  to  dome.  The  sen^ices  began  with 
a  hymn  by  a  select  choir;  prayer,  by  E.  R.  Dille, 
Past  Grand;  the  Order's  funeral  service,  led  by 
Grand  Master  Louderback ;  solo,  "The  Message,"  by 
Hugo  Talbo ;  reading  of  the  Grand  Lodge  resolu- 
tions, by  Secretary  W.  B.  Lyons;  address,  E.  D. 


138  CALIFORNIA    ODD    PELLOWStttt*. 

Farnsworth,  Past  Grand  Sire;  eulogy,  Past  Grand 
Sire  Harmon.  A  poem  was  also  read,  of  which  we 
publish  two  verses : 

"And  now  our  Father,  Brother,  Friend, 
Farewell  on  earth,  we  bid  to  thee ; 
Above  the  Heavens  that  o'er  us  bend, 
God  has  blessed  thy  fidelity. 

"Relieved  from  sorrow,  care  and  pain, 

Thy  ransomed  soul  smiles  from  on  high; 
We  feel  our  loss,  to  you  'tis  gain. 
Such  men  as  thou  can  never  die." 

A  beautiful  monument  was  erected  in  Baltimore 
to  the  memory  of  liidgely,  from  the  five- cent  con- 
tributions of  the  Order,  the  California  lodges  con- 
tributing |631. 


(a)  Silas  W.  Brockway,  of  Hope  Lodge,  No.  33,  at  the  time 
of  his  death  was  Judge  of  Calaveras  county,  he  dying  in  San 
Mateo  in  the  home  of  his  friend,  Alvinza  Hayward.  He  was 
buried  by  the  Grand  Lodge  in  Lone  Mountain  cemetery,  the 
funeral  services  being  held  April  3rd,  from  the  Unitarian 
church,  Rev.  Horatio  Stebbins  preaching  the  sermon.  At  the 
grave  Grand  Master  Haswell  and  Rev.  E.  G.  Lathrop  led  in 
the  last  service  for  the  dead. 

(b)  Previous  to  this  time,  the  degree  was  conferred  in 
the  subordinate  lodge,  by  the  brothers.  It  was  simply  a  side 
degree,  and  the  women  had  neither  voice  nor  vote. 

(c)  In  1859  Past  Grand  Van  Bokkelen  was  presented  a 
gold  watch.  John  A.  McClelland,  1865,  was  given  a  gold- 
headed  cane.  Grand  Master  Parker  on  his  retirement  from 
office,  1854,  was  presented  with  a  beautiful  service  of  plate 
"for  his  valuable  services."  John  F.  Morse,  1855,  was  given  a 
costly  plate  service  "as  an  evidence  of  their  esteem  and 
fraternal  regard."  In  1863  J.  A.  J.  Bohen,  Grand  Master  in 
1859,  was  given  a  plate  service  in  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  Morse 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 


139 


in  his  presentation  speech,  forgetting,  perhaps,  that  with 
party  or  creed  we  have  no  affinity,  scathingly  denounced 
President  Buchanan,  and  declared  "had  he  but  done  his  duty" 
there  would  have  been  no  Civil  War.  C.  O.  Burton  retired, 
18GG,  was  presented  a  service  of  plate  valued  at  $600,  "as  a 
slight  token  of  regard  and  the  brothers'  high  esteem  for  you 
as  a  brother,"  said  Brockway  in  his  speech.  Charles  N.  Fox, 
refusing  to  receive  the  extra  money  he  had  expended  as  Grand 
Master,  the  San  Francisco  lodges  May  8th,  1868,  tendered  the 
Grand  Representatives  a  complimentary  ball,  and  Fox  was 
called  upon  the  floor  and  presented  with  a  $700  solid  silver 
tea  set,  the  last  costly  present  given. 


DR.    CHARLES  GRATTAN. 

The  oldest  Odd  Fellow  living  in  this  jurisdiction  is  Brother 
Charles  Grattan,  an  Odd  Fellow  continuously  for  nearly  sixty 
two  years.  Initiated  into  Beacon  Lodge  No.  40,  New  York,  in 
October,  1844,  he  came  to  California  in  1849,  and  February 
14,  1852,  he  united  with  Charity,  No.  6,  since  that  time  he  has 
been  a  member,  except  a  few  years  in  No.  11. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

A  broad  jurisdiction — Grand  Master  Hill's  regret — A  new 
office  created — The  Grand  Instructor's  experience — Relief  for 
the  Chicago  Odd  Fellows — Michigan  and  home  relief — The 
Marysville  flood^ — Dedication  of  the  Sacramento  temple — 
Grand  Sire  E.  D.  Famsworth — Relief  for  our  Southern  breth- 
ren— ^Again  is  heard  the  distressful  cry — The  first  special 
Grand  Lodge  sessions — The  assistant  Secretary — George  S. 
Case — He  opposes  the  appointment — Mysell  takes  interest — 
Past  Grand  Masters  settle  the  question. 

In  the  early  seventies  the -jurisdiction  of  the  Cali- 
fornia Grand  Lod^e  covered  an  extent  of  territory 
which  included  British  Columbia  on  the  north, 
Nevada  on  the  east  and  the  Sandwich  Islands  on 
the  west,  a  jurisdiction  in  miles  equal  to  one-fourth 
of  the  United  States. 

No  Grand  Master  could  possibly  perform  his 
whole  duty  and  visit  all  of  the  lodges  during  his 
term  of  office  and  yet  Grand  Master  Hill,  traveling 
1,000  miles  by  the  old  steamer  Pacific  to  visit  Vic- 
toria Lodge,  No.  1,  British  Columbia,  expressed  his 
r.egret  that  "he  had  not  sufficient  time  to  inspect 
and  encourage  our  lone  waif  in  that  far  distant 
kingdom,"  the  Sandwich  Islands. 

Grand  Master  Hill,  exceeding  all  other  Masters, 
made  as  many  official  visits  as  possible,  he  believing 
that  these  calls  were  productive  of  great  good,  and 
all  the  lodges  should  yearly  see  the  Grand  Master. 
But  he  declares — 

"It  would  take  all  the  Grand  Master's  time 
to  so  visit.     Is  it  right,  therefore,  to  de- 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  141 

mand  or  expect  a  Grand  Master  to  give  up 
the  earning  of  his  lining,  for  eight  or  ten 
months  of  the  year,  in  order  that  he  may 
visit  and  instruct  lodges?" 

He  thought  not,  and  as  the  Grand  Sire,  1870,  had 
recommended  the  appointment  of  a  Grand  Lodge 
Instructor,  Hill  also  recommended  the  creation 
of  such  an  officer,  he  to  be  given  a  fair  salary,  his 
duty  being  to  visit  and  instruct  lodges  in  the  secret 
and  unwritten  work. 

The  Lodge  immediately  adopted  the  suggestion, 
and  W.  J.  Gurnett,  then  Deputy  Grand  Master,  was 
appointed  as  Lodge  Instructor,  at  a  salary  of  |2,500 
a  year.  "The  Instructor  is  a  live  Odd  Fellow,  and 
liis  reading  of  the  secret  work  is  perfect,"  said  the 
New  Age,  and  with  great  enthusiasm  he  began  his 
work,  he  believing  that  he  could  easily  cover  the 
ground.  But  Gurnett  soon  learned  that  he  had 
attempted  the  impossible.  Listen  to  his  report  in 
1873— 

"Little  was  I  aware  of  the  magnitude  of 
such  an  undertaking,  until  after  I  had 
fairly  commenced  my  work.  The  Grand 
I..ecturer  to  *  *  *  visit  all  the  lodges 
within  the  jurisdiction  is  possibly  in  the 
power  of  man,  provided  he  is  blessed  with 
an  iron  constitution  and  able  to  labor 
twelve  successive  months,  day  and  night, 
without  rest." 


142  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

Gurnett  visited  140  subordinate,  4  Degree  and 
5  Rebekah  Lodges;  addressed  4921  brothers,  con- 
ferred 172  degrees  and  initiated  54  strangers.  The 
brethren  everywhere  welcomed  him  gladly,  and 
did  everything  possible  to  make  his  visits  pleasant, 
but  one  visit  was  particularly  sad — the  death  of  a 
brother  (a). 

The  Lecturer's  report  was  so  discouraging  as  to 
future  results,  the  Lodge,  adopting  the  recommen- 
dation of  the  Finance  Committee,  abolished  the 
office.  Representative  Shattuck  of  No.  349,  believed 
such  an  office  should  be  created,  and  in  1891  he 
asked  that  a  suitable  instructor  be  appointed 
annually  by  the  Grand  Master  at  a  salary  of  |3,000 
a  year  to  visit  and  instruct  the  lodges  in  the  secret 
and  ritualistic  Avork.  The  committee  report  was 
accepted  that — 

"It  was  unnecessary  at  the  present  time,  as 
the  Grand  Secretary,  who  now  accompan- 
ies the  Grand  Master  on  his  visits,  gives 
the  necessary  instruction." 

Nothing  more  was  heard  upon  this  subject  until 
Representative  McArthur  of  No.  77,  in  the  Lodge  of 
1895,  resolved  that  the  Grand  Lodge  appoint  two 
instructors  ,officially  qualified  to  instruct  subordi- 
nate lodges  in  the  work.  The  resolution  was  not 
favorably  received,  as  it  "is  not  a  necessity  and 
would  be  unusual  and  inexpedient." 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  143 

Grand  Master  Hill,  in  office  less  than  six  months, 
was  called  upon  to  extend  the  hand  of  sympathy 
and  financial  assistance  to  the  fire-stricken  brothers 
of  Chicago.  And  October  11th,  1871,  the  following 
lieart-rendering  appeal  was  telegraphed  to  Califor- 
nia's Grand  Representative,  John  B.  Harmon: 

"One  thousand  Odd  Fellows  and  their  wives 
and  children  are  homeless.  For  God's  sake, 
appeal  to  the  brothers  to  help  us.  Nothing 
left  but  desolation,  woe  and  want.  Chicago 
is  wiped  out.  Imagination  cannot  con- 
ceive one-half  the  truth.    E.  B.  Sherman." 

Immediately,  Harmon  communicated  witli  Grand 
Master  Hill,  and  he  the  same  day  issued  a  proclama- 
tion calling  upon  the  brethren  for  contributions  of 
money.    In  his  call  he  said : 

"If  you  cannot  give  hundreds  or  tens  of 
dollars,  give  one.  Give  your  dimes,  if  you 
cannot  do  more;  but  whatever  you  do,  do 
it  quickly." 

Speedily  the  money  rolled  in  to  the  Grand  Sec- 
retary's office,  some  lodges  also  sending  money 
directly  from  lodge  to  Chicago  (b),  and  within  nine 
days  Secretary  Johnson  telegraphed  |4,000,  and 
eleven  days  after  the  first  call  for  relief  had  been 
made  he  reported  that  he  had  received  »|10,386  (c). 
The  money  was  telegraphed,  and  in  response  he 
received  the  following  over  the  wires : 


144  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

"Heaven  bless  the  Odd  Fellows  of  Califor- 
nia. Give  thanks  of  suffering  Odd  Fellows 
to  lodges." 

Some  weeks  after  the  fire,  John  W.  Ellis,  chair- 
man of  the  Chicago  Belief  Committee,  sent  back  to 
California  |1747  of  the  money  contributed,  and 
accompanying  the  amount  came  a  letter  saying: 

"By  the  generous  and  continued  liberality 
of  the  brotherhood,  we  have  now  been  fur- 
nished with  sufficient  means  to  supply  the 
most  pressing  necessities." 

"Five  thousand  Odd  Fellows  were  rendered 
homeless  by  the  fire,"  said  John  B.  Harmon.  "Not 
one  of  these  Odd  Fellows,  their  wives  or  families, 
wanted  for  anything  during  the  hard  winter  that 
followed." 

At  this  time  there  was  considerable  suffering 
among  the  brethren  of  Michigan  and  Wisconsin, 
and  |1,146  of  the  returned  Chicago  money  was  sent 
to  those  States,  California,  No.  1,  and  Concordia^ 
No.  122,  sending  an  additional  $675. 

Nor  did  we  forget  our  own,  the  same  year.  Ocean 
View,  No.  143,  and  Donner,  No.  162,  lost  their  halls 
by  fire,  and  the  subordinates  contributing  |2,048  to 
the  two  losers,  it  again  put  them  on  their  feet.  This 
case  of  assisting  home  lodges  is  but  one  of  hundreds 
that  might  be  mentioned,  but  one  illustration  must 
suffice  for  all. 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  145 

Profiting,  perhaps,  from  the  Chicago  fire,  the 
Grand  Lodge,  two  years  later,  established  an  emer- 
gency fund  of  11^000,  the  amount  to  be  placed  at  the 
Grand  Master's  disposal  to  meet  sudden  calls  for 
relief.  In  the  following  year,  January,  1874,  Grand 
Master  Miller  found  good  use  for  the  money.  A 
lieavy  flood  at  Marysville  rendered  destitute  and 
homeless  many  of  the  Marysville  Odd  Fellows. 
Miller,  learning  of  the  disaster,  immediately  wired 
C.  N.  Jenkins,  then  D.  D.  G.  M.  of  that  district,  ask- 
ing him  to  what  extent  the  brethren  were  in  need, 
several  days  later  the  Grand  Master  received  the 
following  telegram :  . 

"Desolation  and  ruin  meets  us  on  every 
hand,  and  any  contributions  Avill  be  grate- 
fully received." 

The  Grand  Lodge  Standing  Committee  then 
called  a  meeting  and  |500  was  drawn  from  the  relief 
fund,  then  on  deposit  in  the  Odd  Fellows  Bank,  and 
sent  it  to  D.  D.  Grand  blaster  Jenkins  for  the  relief 
of  the  Marysville  brethren. 

In  the  days  of  which  we  are  now  writing  the 
Grand  Lodge  was  practically  on  w^heels,  as  it  held 
its  sessions  in  the  five  largest  cities  from  time  to 
time,  William  Hill  had  been  endeavoring  for  sev- 
eral years  to  have  the  Ix)dge  again  meet  in  his  home 
town,  and  so  they  voted,  1869,  "provided  that  Sac- 
ramento shall  have  their  new  hall  erected  for  the 


146  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

accommodation  of  the  Grand  Lodge."  The  corner 
stone  was  laid  September,  1869,  by  the  officers  of 
the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  and  the  building  was 
completed  in  October,  1870,  El  Dorado,  No.  8, 
October  15th,  holding  the  first  meeting  therein.  In 
the  following  year,  for  the  last  time,  the  Grand 
body  met  in  Sacramento  (d),  and  May  10th  they 
dedicated  the  halls.  The  brothers,  assembling  at 
the  old  hall,  1,500  in  number,  marched  to  their  new 
beautiful  temple  to  the  music  of  the  Sacramento 
brass  band,  John  Talbot  acting  as  Grand  Marshal. 
After  the  dedication  the  brethren,  reforming  in  line, 
marched  to  the  Agricultural  Pavilion,  where  an 
oration  was  delivered  by  Newton  Booth. 

The  dedicatory  services  were  conducted  by  E.  D. 
Farns worth.  Past  Grand  Sire,  "who  made  his  name 
honored  throughout  the  civilized  world  because  of 
his  splendid  work  for  Odd  Fellowship.''  Visiting 
California  in  1870,  he  returned  the  following  year 
permanently  to  reside,  and  often  called  to  places  of 
honor,  he  installed  the  Grand  Officers  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  in  their  three  sessions,  1870-71-73. 
Laying  the  corner  stone  of  the  Sacramento  temple, 
he  also  delivered  the  oration  at  the  Ridgely  memor- 
ial service,  and  delivered  hundreds  of  speeches  at 
lodge  gatherings.  Born  just  five  years  previous  to 
the  founding  of  the  Order  by  Wildey,  he  lived  to  the 
ripe  age  of  75,  and  died  March  19th,  1893.    He  was 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  147 

buried  in  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  grounds  with  all  the  honors 
of  a  Grand  Sire,  and  to-day,  beneath  the  shadow  of 
Parker  hill  there  stands  a  beautiful  monument, 
erected  by  the  lodges  at  a  cost  of  |786. 

The  Past  Grand  Sire  lived  for  many  years  in  the 
south,  Tennessee.  It  was  for  this  reason,  perhaps, 
that  he  was  selected  as  the  chairman  of  the  com- 
mittee appointed  to  solicit  subscriptions  for  our 
Southern  brethren  during  the  terrible  yellow  fever 
pt^tilence  of  1877-78. 

In  the  summer  of  1878  the  California  papers  gave 
a  full  description  of  the  terrible  fever  then  raging 
around  Memphis,  Tenn.,  and  New  Orleans,  La. 
Money  from  .the  Eastern  lodges  had  been  freely 
flowing  into  the  fever-stricken  districts,  and 
although  the  brothers  had  made  no  appeal  to  Cali- 
fornia for  assistance.  Templar,  Bay  City,  Concor- 
dia, Pacific,  Abou  Ben  Adhem  and  Parker,  sent 
some  |800  to  the  two  fever  localities.  A  little  later, 
August,  1878,  the  Secretary  of  Templar  Lodge,  wir- 
ingto  New  Orleans,  inquired:  "Do  you  need  any 
more  financial  assistance?"  "No,  not  iiow,'^  came 
tlie  response,  but  a  little  later  a  second  telegram 
was  received: 

"Demands  upon  us  increasing;  will  accept 
your  assistance  now." 

Then,  from  the  Memphis  Odd  Fellows  came  the 
cry  of  distress: 


148  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

"More,  than  one  hundred  of  our  members, 
including  their  families,  are  suffering  and 
destitute.  We  need  your  sympathy  and 
aid." 

The  stricken  South  at  last  made  known  their 
suffering,  but  this  was  unnecessary,  for,  said  the 
committee : 

"It  is  only  necessary  for  us  to  report  what 
the  telegraph  is  hourly  bringing  us,  name- 
ly, that  hundreds,  yes,  thousands,  are  being 
stricken  down  with  yellow  fever.  *  *  * 
The  death  roll  is  frightful;  men,  women 
and  children  are  dying  even  upon  the 
streets  unattended." 

"Brothers,"  said  Grand  Master  Randall,  "remem- 
ber that  the  hand  of  an  Odd  Fellow  is  always  open 
to  a  brother  in  distress."  And  in  response  to  his 
proclamation  a  mass  meeting  was  held  in  Pacific 
hall,  San  Francisco,  September  7th,  1879,  and  a 
committee  of  seven  appointed  to  issue  circulars  and 
solicit  funds  for  the  suffering  South.  The  circulars 
were  sent  to  every  lodge  within  this  jurisdiction, 
and  again  the  coin  rolled  into  the  Secretary's  ofl&ce. 
Bay  City  leading  with  |1,128,  followed  by  Har- 
mony, |550 ;  Charity  and  Stockton,  each,  |150 ;  Sac- 
ramento |100,  San  Jose  Lodge  |130,  and  so  on,  in 
sums  varying  according  to  the  membership  of  the 
lodge,  from  |10  up  until  it  reached  the  sum  of 


CALIFORNIA   ODD   FELLOWSHIP.  149 

115,312 — the  contribution  of  the  encampments,  sub- 
ordinate and  Rebekah  lodges. 

The  amount  of  money  sent  to  the  fever-stricken 
districts  was  so  large,  they  had  "money  to  burn," 
so  to  speak,  and  more  than  enough.  They  returned 
to  the  California  lodges  nearly  45  per  cent  of  the 
money  sent  them  (e). 

The  brethren,  unfortunately  for  them,  were  too 
hasty  in  returning  the  fund,  for  in  September  the 
pestilence  again  raged  with  fearful  results.  Said 
Grand  Master  Case,  in  Memphis,  "the  lodges  and 
encampments  have  exhausted  all  their  funds  in 
relieving  the  suffering  and  distress,''  and  he  called 
upon  the  lodges  to — 

"Illustrate  once  again  the  liberality  of  Cali- 
fornia Odd  Fellowship." 

The  response  was  |2,427,  but  as  |1,000  was  all 
that  was  required,  that  amount  was  sent  to  Memphis 
and  the  balance  placed  in  the  treasury  for  future 
emergencies.  Fortunately,  no  more  national  relief 
was  called  for  until  the  Johnstown  flood  of  May 
31st,  1889,  followed  by  the  Galveston  flood  of  1900. 
Then  came  the  great  Baltimore  fire  of  February 
7th,  1904,  destroying  the  Wildey  and  Ridgely  monu- 
ments and  the  "Seven  Stars  Tavern,"  the  birthplace 
of  Odd  Fellowship.  From  all  parts  of  the  Union 
Odd  Fellow  telegrams  were  sent  to  Baltimore,  "Do 
you  want  assistance?"    "No,"  came  back  the  reply. 


150  CAUPORKIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

"The  surrounding  cities  are  giving  us  all  the  aid 
required."  Wildey's  monument  was  consumed  in 
a  roaring  sea  of  fire,  but  the  spirit  that  animated 
that  grand  soul  had  inspired  not  only  Odd  Fellows 
to  deeds  of  humanity,  but  citizens,  and  wonderful 
was  the  relief  afforded. 

One  of  the  leading  humanitarians  of  the  Coast  is 
Brother  Wm.  H.  Barnes,  who  leads  not  only  in  good 
deeds,  but  in  executive  work;  hence  it  was  that  in 
1879  the  Grand  Lodge  adopted  his  resolution — 

"That  special  sessions  may  also  be  called  at 
the  option  of  the  Grand  Master,  at  such 
times  and  places  as  he  may  deem'  advis- 
able, provided  that  at  least  one  of  the 
officers  of  the  G.  L.  sliall  be  present." 

In  obedience  to  this  resolution,  Grand  Masters 
Randall  and  Case,  1879-80,  held  Grand  Lodge 
special  sessions  in  the  fourteen  different  towns  (f). 
Lyons  was  not  present  at  any  of  these  sessions  save 
one.  This  caused  considerable  confusion,  as  secre- 
taries were  appointed  unaccustomed  to  the  work, 
and  the  G.  L.  then  adopted  a  resolution  that  there- 
after "the  Grand  Secretary  must  attend  all  special 
sessions." 

This  resolution  gave  to  Lyons  a  large  amount  of 
additional  work,  and  Grand  Master  Leon  Freer, 
1883,  recommended — 

"That  the  G.  L.  make  some  provision  for  the 


152  CALIFORNIA   ODD   FELLOWSHIP. 

payment  of  the  G.  S.  in  attending  these 
extra  sessions.-' 

They  refused,  and  in  the  year  following,  W.  W. 
Morrow,  G.  M.,  declared  in  his  report: 

"I  think  the  time  has  come  when  the  Lodge 
should  provide  an  assistant  to  aid  the 
Grand  Secretary  in  his  increasing  work. 
I  also  think  it  important  that  the  Secre- 
tary should  be  free  to  accompany  the 
Grand  Master  on  his  visitations,  and  this 
would  be  possible  if  he  had  an  assistant." 

The  G.  L.,  accepting  this  report  with  favor, 
adopted  the  Finance  Committee's  report— 

^'Which  empowered  the  Grand  Secretary  to 
employ  an  assistant  at  a  salary  of  |1,500 
a  year." 

G.  W.  P  id  well  was  on  the  Finance  Committee, 
and  he  was  appointed  by  Lyons  as  his  assistant. 

The  creation  of  this  ofiice  caused  a  ten  years'  con- 
test, which  was  led  by  George  S.  Case,  a  San  Fran- 
cisco raised  youth  and  one  of  the  youngest  Grand 
Masters  in  this  jurisdiction.  "He  was,"  said  the 
New  Age,  '^of  splendid  physique,  genial  in  his 
nature,  and  bearing  all  the  evidence  of  many  attrib- 
utes in  his  personal  appearance."  Crossing  the 
plains  with  his  family  at  the  age  of  10  years,  he  at 
the  age  of  22  was  initiated  in  Bay  City,  No.  71 — 
that  Jewish  lodge,  so  liberal  in  their  contributions 
and  receptions  to  visiting  Odd  Fellows.     Case  be- 


CALIFORNIA   ODD   FELLOWSHIP.  153 

came  a  faithful  and  zealous  worker  in  Odd  Fellow- 
ship, and  passing  through  the  chairs,  represented 
No.  71  in  the  Grand  Lodge,  1875,  and  four  years 
later,  at  the  age  of  31,  he  was  installed  as  Grand 
Master.     Case,  voicing  the  opinion  of  his  lodge — 

"That  the  office  of  Assistant  Grand  Secre- 
tary was  unnecessary," 

offered  a  resolution,  1885,  that  the  ofllce  be  dis- 
continued. The  Finance  Committee,  of  which  Case 
was  a  member,  disagreed,  the  minority  report  said : 

"For  years  the  Grand  Secretary  alone  has 
performed  the  work  of  his  office,  and  by  his 
own  admission,  he  can  do  the  work,  if  not 
required  to  visit  lodges." 

Fifteen  hundred  dollars  a  year,  they  thought,  a 
pretty  heavy  tax,  especially  as  many  of  the  smaller 
lodges  were  over-taxed,  paying  out  $16  and  receiv- 
ing for  dues  but  |12  per  member. 

The  majority  report,  which  was  adopted  162  to 
50,  said : 

"That  the  G.  S.  should  be  allowed  to  visit 
lodges,  as  such  visits  would  give  life  and 
activity  to  the  membership,  and  that  it 
would  be  wise  economy  *  *  *  to  al- 
low him  an  assistant,  that  he  may  be  able 
to  attend  to  such  outside  duties." 

Past  Grand  Master  Case  kept  up  the  fight  in 
1886-87,  he  in  the  year  last  named  presenting  a 


154  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

resolution  ^'that  the  Assistant  Secretary's  salary  be 
placed  at  |600  a  year."    This  also  being  voted  down. 

The  committee  work  of  the  Sovereign  Grand 
Lodge  visit  of  1888  occupied  his  attention  and  in 
the  session  of  1889  his  presence  was  no  more,  for 
April  7th  he  had  been  called  '^over  there.'' 

Although  the  chief  agitator  of  the  retrenchment 
question  was  dead,  the  question  itself  ^'yet  liveth," 
for  Representative  Mysell  of  No.  13  started  again 
the  ball  a  rolling,  1893,  by  his  resolution  declaring 

^^That  there  is  a  great  desire  among  the 
lodges  of  San  Francisco  that  the  Grand 
Lodge  administer  the  affairs  of  the  subor- 
dinate lodges  upon  the  minimum  basis  of 
their  expenditures,  and  therefore  the 
Finance  Committee  are  requested  to  omit 
the  sum  of  |1,500  for  Assistant  Sec- 
retary." 

The  Finance  Committee  in  reply  said : 

^^That  the  Secretary's  work  is  great;  his 
visits,  especially  to  the  country  lodges, 
have  been  of  great  benefit,  and  |1,500  a 
year  is  but  a  just  compensation  for  his 
assistant." 

Thus  saith  the  Grand  Lodge. 

The  sudden  and  unexpected  death  of  Lyons 
caused  a  complete  change  in  the  personnel  of  the 
Secretary's  office,  and  the  fight  was  renewed  to 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 


165 


abolish  the  office  of  assistant.     This  brought  forth 
from  Grand  Master  Thompson  in  his  report,  1894: 

"I  do  not  consider  this  practical.     ♦     ♦     ♦ 
One  man  might  do  the  clerical  work  if  he 


WM.  H.  BARNES,  Grand  Scribe. 
(Kindness  of  Sunset.) 

Brother  Barnes,  accepting  the  invitation  of  Nathan  Porter, 
came  to  California.  He  came  with  song  and  story,  and  the 
first  night  of  his  arrival.  May  2d,  1877,  visiting  Templar  Lodge, 
he  and  Professor  Alexander,  who  accompanied  him,  enterta  ned 
a  large  number  of  the  brothers.  He  had  previously  been 
giving  lectures  and  humorous  entertainments  before  the  lodges 
of  the  New  England  States,  and  he  immediately  put  himseuf  in 
touch  and  sympathy  with  every  Odd  Fellow  by  his  lecturing 
tour  from  Shasta  to  San  Diego,  Sierra  to  the  sea. 

But  Barnes  was  not  only  a  lecturer,  but  an  Odd  Fellow  of 
high  standing,  and  an  editor  known  through  the  East,  he 
having  been  writing  for  the  Ark,  the  American  Odd  Fellow, 
and  the  Heart  and  Hand,  since  the  age  of  18.  Born  in  Boston, 
Mass.,  September  22d,  1834,  his  family  soon  after  removed  to 
Atlanta,  Ga.,  and  at  the  age  of  8  years  he  began  learning  the 
printers'  trade.  Over  the  office  Sylvan  Lodge,  No.  4,  weekly 
assembled,  and  at  the  age  of  21  Barnes  was  initiated  into  this 
lodge.     He  arose  rapidly,  passed  through  the  chairs,  entered 


166  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

the  Grand  Lodge,  and  in  1862,  then  but  28  years  of  age,  he  was 
installed  as  Grand  Master.  In  the  following  year  he  was 
elected  as  Grand  Patriarch,  and  in  1865  he  left  Georgia  to 
settle  in  New  York;  but  the  Georgians  never  forgot  him,  and 
upon  his  return  there  in  1903  they  presented  him  with  a 
beautiful  Past  Grand  Masters'  jewel. 

In  New  York  the  Past  Grand  Master  joined  Ark  Lodge, 
No.  28,  and  when  from  them  he  took  his  withdrawal  card  to 
unite  with  Unity,  No.  131,  they  also  presented  him  with  a  Past 
Grand  Masters'  jewel. 

Barnes  captured  California,  and  California  captured  Barnes, 
for,  only  four  months  in  the  State,  he  publicly  announced  that 
"he  deemed  it  wise  to  suspend  the  publication  of  the  Heart 
and  Hand,  New  York,"  as  he  had  concluded  to  cast  his  future 
lot  with  the  people  of  California,  "For,"  he  declared  of  the  Cali- 
fornians — 

"Your  hearts  are  as  broad  as  your  snow-covered  hills. 

And  as  deep  as  the  shafts  of  your  mines; 
Your  noble  men  rare,  with  daughters  so  fair. 
Every  grace  and  attraction  combine." 
And  now,  for  over  a  half  century,  he  has  been  doing  good 
work  for  Odd  Fellowship,  and  in  the  words  of  Grand  Master 
Hynds:  "With  voice  and  pen,  and  heart  brim  full  of  kindness, 
he  has  labored  in  the  great  task  of  ameliorating  the  condi- 
tion of  mankind  and  speeding  the  glorious  hour  when 
Each  man  shall  be  unto  the  other 
As  God  would  have  him — brother  unto  brother." 


shut  out  visitors  and  attended  strictly  to 
business.  But  there  are  several  months 
in  the  year  that  he  would  be  compelled  to 
work  nights  and  Sundays  to  keep  up  with 
the  work." 

The  Grand  Master,  however,  recommended  a 
reduction  of  salaries:  $2,700  a  year  to  the  Grand 
Secretary,  $1,200  to  his  assistant,  and  |100  to  the 
Grand  Treasurer.  The  Lodge  placed  the  Grand 
Secretary's  salary  (g)  and  his  assistant's  as  recom- 
mended by  the  Grand  Master,  but  they  cut  out  the 
§100. 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  157 

The  salaries  thus  stood  until  1903,  at  which  time 
the  four  Past  Grand  Masters — Karl  C.  Brueck, 
I*-  F.  Gosbey,  W.  W.  Watson  and  W.  A.  Bonynge — 
asserted  that  the  clerical  labors  of  the  Secretary's 
office  "during  the  past  ten  years  had  greatly  in- 
creased/' and  they  presented  a  resolution— 

"That  the  Grand  Secretary's  salary  be 
placed  at  |3,000  per  annum;  assistant, 
|1,800,  and  the  Treasurer,  $200." 

The  Finance  Committee  cut  down  the  assistant's 
salary  |300,  and  these  are  the  salaries  at  present 
paid. 


(a)  This  visit  was  to  Fort  Jones  Lodge,  No.  115,  In 
Siskiyou  county.  The  brothers  were  sad,  as  one  of  their  most 
beloved  members  was  then  dying.  "It  was  Sunday  afternoon," 
said  Gurnett,  "and  in  company  with  Brother  J,  D.  Newton  I 
visited  the  sick  brother.  We  found  many  brothers  present, 
and  as  we  had  brought  our  odes  with  us,  at  the  dying  brother's 
request,  we  began  to  sing,  and  never  did  the  words  fall  so 
impressively  upon  the  ear  as  the  words  of  the  ode — 

'In  our  hearts  enshrined  and  cherished. 
May  these  feelings  ever  bloom. 

Fading  not  till  life  has  perished. 
Living  still  beyond  the  tomb.' 

We  ceased  singing  and  looked  at  our  brother,  but  his  spirit 
had  taken  flight — 

'Living  still  beyond  the  tomb.' " 

(b)  As  an  illustration  of  the  way  the  lodges  did  business 
a  quarter  of  a  century  ago,  I  quote  from  the  records  of  Charity 
Lodge.  A  resolution  was  offered  and  adopted  that  the  lodge 
give  $450  towards  the  relief  State  fund,  and  a  second  resolu- 
tion was  immediately  passed  that  each  member  be  taxed  $2.50. 
The  money  was  borrowed  from  the  Treasurer,  amounting  to 
$500,  and  the  following  day  it  was  telegraphed  to  John  W. 
Ellis,  a  former  Secretary  of  the  lodge. 


168  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

(c)  Generously  the  lodges  responded^ — Yerba  Buena,  No. 
15,  and  Templar,  No.  17,  each,  $1,000;  Charity  No.  6,  Bay  City 
No.  71,  Abou  Ben  Adhem  No.  112  and  Parker  No.  124,  each 
$500;  Magnolia  No.  29,  $250;  El  Dorado  No.  8,  $200;  Mount 
Moriah  Encampment  (Vallejo),  and  Wildey  Camp  (San  Fran- 
cisco), $1G6,  and  so  on.  The  smaller  lodges  gave  what  they 
could,  and  Donner  Lodge,  which  had  lost  everything  by  fire, 
contributed  $50  out  of  their  pockets. 

(d)  That  the  Golden  Rule  was  not  always  observed,  even 
in  the  Grand  Lodge,  the  record  of  1879  shows.  Since  1871 
the  Sacramento  representatives  had  been  striving  to  have  the 
Grand  Lodge  again  vote  to  assemble  in  the  Capital  City,  and 
in  1878  Grove  L.  Johnson  presented  a  resolution  which  was 
adopted  159  to  129,  "that  the  next  session  be  held  in  Sacra- 
mento." A  scheme  was  immediately  planned  to  euchre 
Sutter's  old  home,  and  the  next  morning,  immediately  after 
the  reading  of  the  journal,  Charles  Sumner  of  Templar  Lodge 
arose  and  moved  a  reconsideration  of  the  vote.  It  was  a 
proceeding  never  before  attempted,  and  the  motion  was 
adopted  after  a  very  warm  debate.  Then  the  original  motion 
was  before  the  house,  "that  the  next  session  be  held  in  Sac- 
ramento," and  it  was  lost  by  the  surprising  vote  of  141  to  194. 
The  Grand  Lodge  then  selected  San  Francisco,  from  whence 
came  these  fifty-four  extra  votes. 

(e)  When  Chico  Lodge,  No.  113,  received  their  per  cent., 
some  $28.30,  they  sent  it  to  the  Grand  Secretary  and  instructed 
him  to  forward  the  money  to  Truckee  Lodge,  they  having  lost 
all  by  fire.  But  the  members,  with  many  thanks,  returned 
the  money,  saying:  "We  have  lost  all,  but  we  feel  so  strong 
within  ourselves,  and  have  so  much  courage  in  God  and  the 
future,  that  no  member  will  accept  it." 

(f)  The  first  special  session  was  held  in  Eureka,  then  in 
San  Bernardino,  Los  Angeles,  Santa  Barbara,  Salinas,  San 
Jose,  Redwood  City,  Sonora,  lone,  Oroville,  Santa  Rosa, 
Auburn,  Davisville  and  Sacramento. 

(g)  Representative  Louderback  moved  that  the  Secre- 
tary's salary  be  placed  at  $3,000,  but  it  was  voted  down  by  a 
big  majority,  270  to  155.  McKain,  of  No.  271,  wanted  the  figure 
set  at  $2,700,  and  this  was  the  amount  set  by  Parker  Lodge, 
they  declaring  "the  lodges  are  being  so  heavily  taxed  that 
many  of  them  are  not  able  to  pay  their  sick  benefits,  especially 
in  this  city."  This  was  no  idle  talk  on  the  part  of  Parker 
Lodge,  for  since  that  time  Parker  and  Ophir  Lodges  have 
passed  out  of  existence,  they  consolidating  with  Templar, 
No.  17. 


CHAPTER  X. 

The  non-affiliating  Odd  Fellows — Eight  hundred  prodigals 
return — The  uniform  degree  camp — Canton  Ridgely's  silver 
trophy — Violet  Rebekah  degree  memorial — Mrs.  Lizzie  Condy 
appointed  as  Deputy  District  Grand  Master — Organization  of 
a  Rebekah  convention — The  Rebekah  Assembly — Building  and 
dedication  of  the  Orphans'  Home — The  Rebekahs'  friend — 
Grand  Master  Louderback. 


The  Order  of  California  has  had  a  continuous 
<»rowth  from  1853  up  to  the  present  time,  excepting 
tlie  years  1894-95-96-97,  at  which  time  the  member- 
ship for  some  reason  ran  behind  nearly  five  hun- 
dred. In  pioneer  days  the  largest  increase  at  any 
particular  period  was  from  1857  to  1860,  this  in- 
crease being  due  to  an  amendment  adopted  by  the 
Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  permitting  all  Pacific 
Coast  lodges  to  admit 

"Non-affiliating  Odd  Fellows  upon  such 
tenns  as  the  Grand  Lodge  may  prescribe, 
provided  they  may  have  been  suspended  in 
other  jurisdictions  for  non-payment  of 
dues,  and  no  other  cause." 

All  of  these  brothers  were  under  suspension,  and 
Grand  Master  Parker,  referring  to  them  in  his  first 
report,  said  that  a  law  should  he  passed  admitting 
them  as  "ancient  Odd  Fellows,  provided  they  had 
not  been  expelled  or  suspended  for  misconduct." 
As  was  later  shown,  such  a  law  would  benefit  Cali- 
fornia largely,  and  in  1855  a  memorial  was  drawn 


160  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

up  by  A.  A.  Sargent,  John  Brewster  and  O.  D. 
ThomaSy  explaining  fully  the  facts  of  the  case,  and 
presented  to.  the  G.  L.  of  the  U.  S.,  praying  them  to 
take  action.  It  was  a  very  able  paper,  and  although 
the  Grand  body  highly  praised  the  memorial,  no 
action  was  taken  until  1858,  Samuel  H.  Parker  and 
Warren  Heaton  then  being  the  representatives. 

The  subject  was  then  resurrected,  and  the  S.  G.  L. 
by  the  splendid  vote  of  86  to  13  passed  Parker's 
resolution,  quoted  at  the  beginning  of  this  chapter, 
although  John  A.  Kennedy  strongly  opposed 
amending  the  constitution,  even  to  please  Califor- 
nia. He  was  answered  by  Nathan  Porter,  then  a 
representative  of  Rhode  Island,  "in  one  of  the  ablest 
speeches  ever  heard  in  that  body."  John  W. 
Dwinelle,  then  of  New  York,  also  made  a  strong 
argument  in  defense  of  the  resolution. 

It  was  a  special  enactment  limited  to  a  certain 
time.  May  12th,  1858,  to  January  31st,  1861,  and 
of  the  thousands  suspended  only  800  took  ad- 
vantage of  the  "open  gate."  Among  this  number, 
two  became  Grand  Masters,  C.  W.  Dannals  and 
A.  J.  Gurnett;  one  a  Grand  Sire,  John  B.  Harmon; 
and  Leland  Stanford,  Niles  Searles,  Frank  Austin 
and  Samuel  H.  Brockway  became  representatives. 
The  brethren  came  from  thirty  different  States  and 
joined  eighty  different  lodges.  Templar  receiving 
the  highest  number,  forty-one. 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  161 

One  of  the  most  enthusiastic  Odd  Fellows  of  the 
State  was  Georji^e  T.  Bohen.  A  very  popular  man, 
(-specially  in  the  encampment,  he  took  great  interest 
in  the  military  branch  of  the  Order  and  organized 
the  first  Odd  Fellow  military  company,  the  Golden 
Gate  battalion. 

The  movement  was  first  started  by  an  Eastern 
encampment  wearing  a  uniform,  which  was  unlaw- 
ful (a),  but  in  1872  the  S.  G.  L.  passed  a  resolution 

"That  encampments  be  permitted  to  wear 
such  style  of  street  uniform,  on  parade,  as 
may  be  sanctioned  by  their  Grand  En- 
campment." 

The  uniform  degree  camp,  as  it  was  called,  was 
a  success  from  the  start,  and  Nathan  Porter  was  so 
carried  away  with  their  appearance,  on  his  return 
from  the  East  he  advised  the  encampment  to  uni- 
form. 

"They  had  been  languishing  because  of  the 
mergement  question,  and  it  was  believed 
that  to  uniform  would  create  a  new  in- 
terest" 

No  action  was  taken,'  hoAvever,  until  December, 
1873,  when  Bohen  suggested  that  the  "camp"  pur- 
chase uniforms  and  wear  them  on  parade  the  next 
anniversary  day.  The  proposition  was  quickly 
adopted,  and  giving  a  social  in  Piatt's  hall  Feb- 
uary  6th,  1874,  sixty  members  in  uniform,  preceded 


162  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

by  a  band,  escorted  the  Grand  officers  to  the  hall. 
This  led  to  the  organization  of  the  Golden  Gate 
battalion,  Avith  George  T.  Bohen  as  Captain.  They 
fitted  up  and  drilled  in  a  hall  corner  of  PoAvell  and 
Sutter  streets.  Their  first  public  parade  was  in 
May,  when  tliey  visited  Mount  Moriah  Encampment 
of  Vallejo,  as  their  guest.  A  second  battalion  of 
fifty  men  was  organized  May  15th,  1877,  and  in 
August,  1879,  a  battalion  of  Sacramento  gave  an 
exhibition  drill  in  Turn-Verein  hall. 

The  military  spirit  continued  to  increase,  and  in 
1882  the  S.  G.  L.  authorized  Grand  Encampments 
to  institute  ^'uniformed  degree  camps  for  uniform 
patriarchs,"  they  adopting  the  name  later,  1885,  of 
^^^atriarch  Militant."  Although  ^^the  adoption  of 
this  degree  tilled  at  once  a  void  in  the  wants  of  the 
Order,"  said  Theo.  Ross,  in  his  history,  the  older 
members  did  not  regard  it  kindly,  and  said  Wm.  H. 
Barnes  in  April,  1881,  in  a  letter  to  the  New  Age : 

'^ After  the  war  a  new  element  appeared  in 
the  national  councils.  A  spirit  of  unrest 
has  developed  itself,  and  the  frantic  desire 
to  do  something  and  call  it  progress  is  and 
has  for  several  years  been  apparent,  and 
some  very  absurd  and  useless  results  have 
accrued.  Among  these  matters  which 
were  not  requisite  were  the  abolishing  af 
aprons  and  regalias;  a  tinkering  with  the 
Sunday  law;  the  permission  to  wear  a 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  163 

uniform  head  dress,  which,  piece  by  piece, 
developed  into  chapeau,  sword,  gauntlets, 
baldrics  and  uniform,  until  we  have  the 
spectacle  of  our  Order,  founded  upon  the 
lives  of  the  patriarchs,  drilling  like  sol- 
diers of  the  nineteenth  century,  with  their 
tiii'et^cornei*ed  hats  and  twenty-six  inch 
feathei's.'* 

*  As  soon  as  the  neAv  law  was  passed  the  California 
encampments  organized  cantons  in  their  respective 
districts,  and  the  State  has  now  tAventy-nine  can- 
tons, Ridgely,  No.  15,  of  Stockton  l>eing  the  most 
prominent  because  of  their  winning,  three  times  in 
succession,  the  beautiful  silver  trophy  offered  by 
the  Grand  Encampment  in  1895  for  the  best-drilled 
canton. 

The  canton,  or  correctly  writing,  the  Ridgely 
Uniform  Degree  Camp,  was  instituted  in  October, 
1884,  and  reorganizing  under  the  new^  law,  Feb- 
ruary 25th,  1886,  they  elected  the  following  officers : 
Captain,  W.  H.  Woodbridge;  Lieutenant,  Charles 
M.  Keniston;  Ensign,  Edward  L.  Gnekow;  Clerk, 
George  F.  Roesch ;  Accountant,  J.  E.  Hall.  Curious 
that  the  Captain  and  the  Clerk  should  later  become 
Past  Grand  Patriarchs. 

As  the  cantons  were  strictly  a  military  organiza- 
tion, the  (irand  Encampment  in  1895  offered  a 
beautiful  silver  trophy,  which  the  final  possessor 
must  win  it  three  times  in  succession.    The  follow- 


164  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

ing  is  the  result,  Ridgely,  No.  15,  not  competing  for 
the  prize  until  1898 : 

Won  by  Canton  Sacramento,  No.  1,  at  Stockton, 
October,  1895. 

Won  by  Canton  San  Francisco,  No.  5,  at  Santa 
Cruz,  October,  1896. 

Won  by  Canton  Sacramento,  No.  1,  at  Los  An- 
geles, October,  1897. 

Won  by  Canton  Ridgely,  No.  15,  at  San  Jose, 
October,  1898. 

Won  by  Canton  Ridgely,  No.  15,  at  San  Fran- 
cisco, October,  1899. 

Won  by  Canton  Ridgely,  No.  15,  at  Redding, 
October,  1900. 

The  latter  also  won  the  first  prize  at  Fresno, 
October,  1901,  |200,  and  a  sword. 

The  Patriarchs  Militant  have  a  pretty  ceremony 
known  as  ^'The  Decoration  of  Chivalry,"  which  may 
be  conferred  upon  a  chevalier  or  a  Daughter  of 
Rebekah.  Can  any  man  bestow  honors  upon  a 
Rebekah  ?  She  is  as  God  made  her — 
"Fair  as  morning  star,  with  modesty 
Arrayed;  with  virtue,  grace  and  perfect  lova" 

No ;  but  she  can  bestow  honors  upon  herself,  and 
in  1882  Violet  Rebekah  Lodge,  No.  42,  of  Salinas, 
presented  a  memorial  to  the  Grand  Lodge  petition- 
ing them  for  a  State  Grand  Lodge  of  the  degree 
of  Rebekah —  ; 


CALIFORNIA    ODD   FELLOWSHIP.  165 

"That  we,  the  Daughters  of  Rebekah,  may 
be  brought  together  to  advise  with  each 
other  and  have  a  voice  in  framing  laws  for 
the  government  of  Rebekah  degree  lodges." 

The  committee  to  whom  this  important  subject 
was  handed  were  not  in  accord,  and  three  of  them 
said: 

"The  Kebekah  Lodges  are  not  a  separate 
branch  of  the  Order,  but  are  single  degree 
lodges  for  the  purpose  of  conferring  that 
single  degree." 

The  committee,  unfortunately,  were  not  far- 
sighted  enough  to  see  that  the  Rebekahs  had  before 
them  a  much  greater  work  than  merely  conferring 
a  degree.  Ed  M.  Martin  of  that  committee  had  a 
broader  vision  of  the  outlook,  and  presenting  a 
minority  report,  which  was  adopted  by  the  Lodge, 
he  said — 

"That  they  should  not  be  debarred  from 
having  a  general  gathering  of  the  member- 
ship to  consider  and  recommend  such  legis- 
lation as  they  deem  suitable  and  needful 
for  the  promotion  of  that  branch  of  our 
Order." 

As  the  memorial  had  requested,  the  G.  L.  repre- 
sentatives were  instructed  "to  use  their  influence  in 
securing  the  necessary  legislation  for  the  institut- 
ing  and   organizing   of   State   Grand   Lodges   of 


166  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

Rebekalis,"  but  that  proposition  was  six  years  in 
advance  of  the  time. 

The  movement  was  rapidly  advancing,  however, 
and  in  1878  the  first  woman  Noble  Grand  was  ap- 
pointed, the  S.  G.  L.  having  declared  the  previous 
year  that  women  were  eligible  to  any  of  the  offices 
of  the  Lodge.  This  was  followed  in  1887  by  the 
S.  G.  L.  resolution — 

"Authorizing    Grand    Masters   to    appoint 
women  as  Deputy  Grand  Masters,  with 


ORRIN  S.  HENDERSON. 
A  member  of  Truth  Lodge,  No.  55;  is  a  Masonic  Past  Grand 
Master,  and  the  present  Railroad  Commissioner  of  the  Third 
district.     Now,  in  the  prime  of  life,  Brother  Henderson  is  a 
true  fraternal  member. 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  167 

full  power  to  appoint  their  own  installing 
officers." 

In  accordance  with  that  resolution,  December 
12tli,  1887,  Elwood  Bruner,  the  Grand  Master, 
appointed  Mrs.  Lizzie  Condy  a  Past  Grand  mem- 
ber of  Lebanon  Rebekah  Lodge,  No.  47.  As  Deputy 
District  Grand  Master  (b)  she  installed  the  oflScers 
of  the  Rebekah  Lodges  in  District  No.  1,  in  Jan- 
uary, 1888. 

Rapidly  were  the  Rebekabs  advancing  to  that 
position  for  which  they  had  long  been  striving, 
namely,  an  organization  separate  and  apart  from 
the  Grand  Lodge,  and  their  object  was  attained  in 
1888,  the  Sovereign  body  that  year  authorizing  the 
organization  of  what  was  then  known  as  Rebekah 
conventions.  In  the  following  year,  1889,  a  resolu- 
don  was  offered  and  referred  to  the  Committee  on 
State  of  the  Order,  that  the  Rebekah  Lodges  be 
authorized  to  hold  annually  a  Rebekah  convention. 
The  committee,  11.  T.  Dorrance,  John  Glasson, 
Samuel  Pollock  and  S.  B.  Smith,  recommended— 

"That  such  convention  be  held,  as  we  be- 
lieve it  would  result  to  the  benefit  of  the 
Rebekah  Lodges." 

This  committee  were  so  slow  in  handing  in  their 
report,  the  last  day,  no  action  was  taken  by  the 
Grand  Ixnige. 


168  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

In  the  following  year,  however,  the  Lodge  author- 
ized Grand  Master  Glasson  to  call  a  convention, 
and  in  his  proclamation  he  declared — 

"Now,  therefore,  I,  John  Glasson,  Grand 
Master,  *  *  *  do  hereby  issue  this 
proclamation,  for  the  election  of  delegates 
to  a  degree  of  Rebekah  State  convention, 
to  assemble  in  San  Francisco  May  12th, 
1891,  in  Covenant  hall.  Odd  Fellows' 
building." 

At  the  time  appointed  157  delegates,  representing 
101  Rebekah  Lodges,  assembled  in  Memorial  hall 
and  elected  as  temporary  officers  of  their  conven- 
tion, the  same  being  chosen  as  permanent  officers, 
the  following  Rebekahs:  President,  Mrs.  Mary  T. 
Lyon  of  Templar,  No.  19;  Vice-President,  Mrs. 
Emma  Brooks  of  Isabella,  No.  17;  Secretary,  Mrs. 
Mary  E.  Donoho  of  Vacaville,  No.  80;  Treasurer^ 
Mrs.  Sallie  Wolf  of  Rising  Star,  No.  8;  Executive 
Committee :  Ella  V.  Engle  of  Byron,  Harriet  Bruce, 
Chico;  Etta  Tinkham,  Stockton;  Emily  Gray, 
Santa  Cruz;  Maggie  Rider,  Los  Angeles;  Electa 
Butler,  Folsom,  and  Anna  Graves,  Visalia. 

For  several  years  the  conventions  were  obliged  to 
ask  the  approval  of  the  Grand  Lodge  for  every  act 
performed.  But  in  1894  the  Sovereign  body  re- 
solved "to  give  the  women  a  chance."  "For,"  as 
Grand  Master  Lloyd  said, 


CALIFORNIA    ODD   FELLOWSHIP.  169 

"When  women  control  a  lodge,  and  know 
they  have  to  rely  upon  themselves,  they 
are  equal  to  the  occasion"  (c). 

And  the  Supreme  body  adopted  a  resolution  author- 
izing Grand  Lodges  in  those  jurisdictions  where 
ten  or  more  Rebekah  Lodges  are  in  existence  to 
grant  charters  and  institute  Rebekah  bodies,  to  be 
known  as  Rebekah  Assemblies.  Grand  Master 
Simpson,  1895,  saying, 

"God  speed  the  Rebekah  work," 
Recommended  that  the  Grand  Lodge  charter  a 
Rebekah  Assembly  as  soon  as  possible.  The  con- 
vention petitioned  the  Lodge  for  a  charter,  and 
adopting  the  motion  of  Representative  Louderback, 
they  ordered  a  charter  issued  to  the  Rebekah  Assem- 
bly. The  following  were  its  first  officers:  Fannie 
Benjamin,  President;  Marion  Greenwood,  Vice- 
President;  Mary  E.  Donoho,  Secretary,  and  Anna 
M.  Liese,  Treasurer. 

The  first  and  the  grandest  Avork  of  the  new  body 
was  the  building  of  an  orphans'  home  at  Gilroy,  for 
the  children  of  Odd  Fellows,  a  plot  of  ground  of 
five  acres  having  been  donated  to  the  convention  for 
that  purpose  by  Mrs.  Caroline  A.  Hoxett  of  Unity 
Rebekah  I^dge,  No.  24.  The  convention  in  1896 
petitioned  the  Grand  Ix>dge  to  grant  them  the 
power  to  "locate,  estiiblish  and  control  an  orphans' 
home,  and  to  receive  contributions  and  donations 


170  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

for  that  purpose."  The  motion  of  Representative 
Louderback,  that  their  petition  be  granted,  was  by 
the  Lodge  adopted.  "And/'  said  Grand  Master 
Warboys — 

"With  their  usual  energy  and  enthusiasm 
for  all  good  works,  began  the  task,  and 
notwithstanding  the  hard  times,  raised  the 
.    money." 

The  contract  was  let,  and  May  8th,  1897,  the 
Rebekahs  laid  the  corner  stone — the  only  instance 
of  its  kind  in  the  world's  history.  Three  months 
later,  October  27th,  the  building  was  dedicated  to 
its  intended  noble  purpose,  and  not  a  dollar  of  debt 
on  the  property. 

Perhaps  I  cannot  better  close  this  subject  than 
by  citing  the  words  of  W.  W.  Watson,  Grand  Mas- 
ter, 1901,  wherein  he  said : 

"The  Orphans'  Home  at  Gilroy  is  a  monu- 
ment to  the  work,  the  worth  and  the  unsel- 
fish devotion  of  the  Rebekahs  of  Califor- 
nia ;  far  more  durable  than  shapely  arch  or 
stately  spire." 

For  many  years  the  Rebekahs  had  a  fight  on 
hand;  first,  for  a  continued  life,  and  second,  for 
more  freedom  of  action ;  and  during  these  years  they 
have  had  a  valued  friend  and  defender  in  Judge 
David  Louderback.  He  has  also  been  free  of  all 
cost,  their  legal  adviser,  "and,"  said  a  Past  Presi- 


CALIFORNIA    Oi)t)    ^ELLOWStlit'. 


m 


dent  to  me,  "I  don't  know  what  we  should  have  done 
without  him,  for  his  legal  services  and  advice  was 
given  to  us  freely  and  cheerfully  at  any  and  all 
times.'' 

A  strong,  enthusiastic  and  ever  faithful  worker 
in  the  ranks,  he  is  now  and  has  been  for  the  past 


GEO.  T.  SHAW,  Grand  Secretary. 
(Courtesy  of  Sunset  Magazine.) 
Our  genial,  ever  faithful  Grand  Secretary  is  an  Odd  Fellow 
of  forty-three  years'  standing,  he  having  been  initiated  in 
Bidwell  Lodge  at  Oroville  April  23d,  18G3.  Along  fraternal 
lines  we  next  find  him  in  San  Francisco,  a  Past  Grand  of 
Abou  Ben  Adhem  Lodge,  No.  112,  he  joining  by  card  December 
26th,  1867,  passing  through  the  chairs.  In  1874  he  represented 
No.  112  in  the  Grand  Lodge,  he  the  same  year  joining  Unity 
Encampment  and  passed  through  the  chairs,  he  having  pre- 
viously traveled  with  Golden  Gate  Encampment,  his  first  love. 
Willing  to  oblige,  he  withdrew  from  Abou  Ben  Adhem  and 
May  3d,  1878,  became  a  charter  member  of  Myrtle,  No.  275, 
and  again  willing  to  accommodate,  October  6th,  1894,  he  be- 
came a  charter  member  of  Spartan,  No.  125.  Brother  Shaw 
still  in  the  prime  of  life,  was  born  August  23d,  1834. 


172  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

sixteen  years,  an  active  member;  "and,"  as  Grand 
Warden  Morrow  said  when  presenting  to  him  the 
Past  Grand  Master's  jewel — 

"You  have  always  been  found  at  some  post 
of  duty  or  labor,  where  you  have  actively 
and  manfully  battled  for  the  principles 
*  *  *  which  will  last  *  *  *  as 
long  as  man  *  *  *  shall  require  the 
fraternal  care  and  assistance  of  his  fellow 
man." 

A  lawyer  by  profession,  Past  Grand  Master  Loud- 
erback  has  for  many  years  been  the  chairman  of  the 
Committee  of  Appeals,  and  twice,  1873-97,  he  com- 
piled a  digest  for  the  Grand  Lodge,  free  of  cost. 


(a)  In  1870  a,  Providence,  Rhode  Island,  encampment  paid 
a  fraternal  visit  to  an  encampment  in  Massachusetts,  wearing 
a  uniform.  It  created  quite  a  stir,  but  as  such  a  thing  was 
illegal,  complaint  was  made  to  Grand  Sire  Stuart,  and  he 
prohibited  the  wearing  of  any  more  uniforms.  The  Sovereign 
Grand  Lodge  sustained  him  in  his  decision,  but  in  the  follow- 
ing year,  1872,  they  passed  a  resolution  permitting  camps  to 
wear  on  street  parade  such  uniforms  as  might  be  approved 
by  the  Grand  Encampment  in  their  jurisdiction.  The  Eastern 
camps  then  obtained  uniforms,  and  at  the  national  celebration 
in  1874  they  created  a  great  sensation.  Nathan  Porter  was 
highly  pleased,  and  upon  his  return  to  California  he  urged 
the  San  Francisco  encampment  to  speedily  obtain  uniforms. 

(b)  Behind  this  appointment  of  the  first  woman  Grand 
officer  there  is  an  interesting  little  story.  At  the  time,  1884, 
G.  W.  Gallup  of  Stockton  Lodge,  No.  11,  was  Deputy  District 
Grand  Master.  He  was  of  the  opinion  that  it  was  woman's 
place  to  install  the  officers  of  a  Rebekah  Lodge,  and  in  a 
conversation  with  Grand  Secretary  Lyons  regarding  the 
matter,  Lyons  said,  "Go  ahead,  he  won't  do  anything."  he 
meaning  that  the  Grand  Master  would  take  no  action  to  oppose 
the  appointment.  Upon  his  own  responsibility  Brother  Gallup 
then  appointed  Mrs.  Lizzie  Condy  of  Lebanon  Lodge,  No.  47, 
as  his  Grand  Marshal,  and  she  assisted  him  in  installing  the 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  173 

Rebekah  Lodges  throughout  the  district.  In  the  following 
year  E.  T.  Knowles  of  Charity,  No.  6,  then  Deputy  District 
Grand  Master,  appointed  Mrs.  Condy  as  Deputy  District  Mas- 
ter pro  tern.,  and  she  appointing  all  women  as  her  assistants, 
January  11th,  1886,  installed  the  officers  of  Lebanon  Rebekah 
Lodge,  No.  47.  Edward  L.  Gnekow  of  Stockton  Lodge,  No.  11, 
D.  D.  G.  M.,  in  1888,  was  urged  to  appoint  a  woman  as  his 
assistant;  but  he,  obtaining  the  decision  of  Grand  Master 
Bruner  that  it  was  Illegal,  refused  to  so  appoint.  That  year, 
however,  the  Grand  Lodge  authorized  the  appointment  of  any 
woman  in  good  standing  in  a  district  as  eligible  to  the  Deputy 
District  Grand  Master's  office,  and  Mrs.  Condy  was  Grand 
Master  Bruner's  first  appointee. 

(c)  The  incident  that  caused  Grand  Master  Lloyd  to  make 
this  assertion  was  the  mistake  of  a  woman  Vice-Grand,  tem- 
porarily occupying  the  Noble  Grand's  chair,  he  being  absent. 
She  declared  elected  a  candidate  who  was  in  fact  rejected,  "an 
old  brother"  giving  her  wrong  information  regarding  the 
number  of  black  balls  necessary  to  reject.  "I  told  the  Vice 
Grand,"  says  Lloyd,  "to  rely  upon  herself,  and  not  upon  a  man, 
and  then  she  would  not  be  likely  to  sin  any  more." 


CHAPTER  XI. 

The  revision  of  the  degrees — Business  transaction  in  the 
third  degree — Encinal  Lodge  opposes  them — Lyons  letter- 
perfect  in  the  work — Grand  Lodge  meets  at  San  Jose — Lodge 
on  wheels — Porter  scores  a  point — Laying  corner  stone  of 
San  Francisco  temple — Splendid  procession — Dedication  of  the 
hall — Grand  Lodge  crowded  out  of  the  Assembly  hall. 

Odd  Fellowship  is  ever  progressive  in  its  charac- 
ter, and  one  of  tlie  most  important  movements  of  the 
Order  Avas  the  revision  of  the  work.  ''The  wise  men 
of  the  Order  felt  that  the  ceremonial  work  in  this 
branch  had  become  too  cumbersome,  so  they  re- 
solved to  eliminate  the  less  important  parts  and 
preserve  the  best."  Such  a  revision  they  believed 
'Svould  act  as  an  incentive  to  thousands  to  take  all 
the  degrees,  *  *  *  and  it  will  bring  back 
thousands  Avho  have  drifted  out  of  the  Order." 

Thirteen  of  the  ablest  men  were  appointed  to  per- 
form the  work,  and  they  made  a  complete  revision 
of  all  of  the  degrees  save  the  initiatory,  this  being 
left  unchanged.  The*  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge 
adopted  the  committee  report  and  passed  a  resolu- 
tion that  the  new  work  should  be  put  into  operation 
on  and  after  January  1st,  1881  (a). 

The  new  work  was  strongly  endorsed  by  Penn- 
sylvania, they  sending  circulars  to  that  effect  to  all 
of  the  State  .>urisdictions.  The  Grand  Lodge  passed 
this  circular  up  to  the  Committee  on  State  of  the 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  175 

Order — Dan  M.  Burns,  H.  T.  Dorrance,  George  B. 
Katzenstein,  H.  J.  Tilden  and  John  Ellsworth.  The 
three  first  named  said  "it  is  unnecessary  to  take  any 
action,  as  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  have  now  the 
matter  under  consideration."  This  report  was  not 
acceptable  to  the  Lodge,  and  they  not  only  adopted 
the  minority  report  that — 

"The  time-honored  customs  and  rules  of  the 
Order  should  not  be  changed,  *  *  * 
and  we  recommend  that  no  reduction  in 
the  degrees  be  made." 

But  they  instructed  their  representatives  to  urge 
and  vote  against  the  adoption  of  any  change  in  the 
Avork,  "For,"  says  Barnes,  "it  Avill  take  |50,000  to 
cover  the  expense."  The  Eastern  jurisdictions  Avisely 
concluded  that  the  increase  in  membership  would 
more  than  cover  the  expense,  and  every  State  voting 
for  the  change  except  California,  the  resolution 
passed  131  to  6. 

When  our  representatives,  W.  W.  Morrow  and 
Grove  L.  Johnson,  returned  to  California  from  the 
Supreme  session  of  1881  and  informed  the  brothers 
that  on  and  after  July  1st,  1882,  all  busineiss  trans- 
actions must  be  transacted  in  the  third  degree,  then 
there  was  more  trouble,  imaginary,  however,  with 
a  few,  "Why,"  says  Brother  Barnes,  "this  is  a 
measure  calculated  to  retard  the  growth  of  the 
Order."      But    the    committee— John    Ellsworth, 


176  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

PI.  T.  Dorrance,  J.  J.  De  Haven  and  E.  M.  Martin, 
regarded  it  as  a  wise  measure,  as 

"Doing  business  in  the  third  degree  will 
have  a  strong  tendency  to  cause  brothers 
to  take  that  degree,  and  that  after  having 
taken  them  they  will  feel  a  greater  interest 
in  the  Order"  (b). 

The  Lodge  approved  of  the  committee  report,  but 
as  this  w^as  a  very  important  matter,  they  also 
accepted  Representative  Allbright's  resolution  and 
obtained  the  opinion  of  each  subordinate  lodge 
"as  to  the  advantage  or  disadvantage  of  working  in 
the  third  degree."  The  result,  to  many,  was  a  great 
surprise,  for  1 01  lodges,  representing  8,^^10  brothers, 
said  "Work  in  the  third  degree,"  while  only  34 
lodges,  with  a  membership  of  3,465,  opposed  it. 

The  ritualistic  work,  decreased  from  six  to  four 
degrees,  seemed  to  give  satisfaction  to  all  the  sub- 
ordinate lodges  except  Encinal,  No.  164,  the  lodge 
instituted  by  Nathan  Porter.  They  said  after  a 
trial  of  the  work  for  three  years :  "The  present  init- 
iatory work,  and  work  of  the  degrees,  is  inferior  to 
the  former  work.  Instruct  and  urge  upon  our  S.  G. 
representatives  the  propriety  of  remodeling  and 
simplifying  the  work."  They  evidently  had  been 
performing  the  work  in  a  very  indifferent  and  list- 
less manner,  for  the  Grand  Lodge  replied  through 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  177 

their  committee,  Elwood  Bruner,  C.  T.  McEachran 

and  J.  N.  E.  Wilson : 

"We  believe  it  would  be  unwise  and  im- 
politic to  make  any  change;  and  Ave  believe 
that  if  the  lodge  officers  will  make  a  study 
of  the  work,  no  desire  will  be  expressed  for 
a  change." 

The  Grand  ^faster  who  had  the  difficult  task  of 
putting  the  new  work  into  operation  was  Ezra  Pear- 
son ;  but  he  had  a  thoroughly  competent  adviser  and 
assistant  in  the  Grand  Secretary,  W.  B.  Lyons.  He 
was  a  brother  of  splendid  executive  ability  and  a 
very  strong  memory,  and  because  of  this  fact  he  was 
sent  as  a  representative  to  the  Sovereign  Grand 
Lodge,  expressly  to  learn  the  new  work.  Learning 
it  letter  perfect,  he  returned  to  California,  and, 
exceedingly  proud  of  Odd  Fellowship  in  California, 
he  declared :  "It  is  and  ever  will  be  my  pride  and 
ambition  to  do  my  utmost  in  having  the  reputation 
of  California  Odd  Fellowship  for  good  and  correct 
work  maintained  at  its  present  standard."  Lyons 
became  a  most  valuable  assistant  to  all  incoming 
Grand  Masters,  and  highly  they  praised  his  ser- 
vices. Grand  Representative  W.  W.  MorroAv,  upon 
his  return  from  the  Supreme  body,  said : 

"I  take  pleasure  in  mentioning  the  industry 
arid  zeal  of  Representative  l^yons  *  *  ♦ 
in  acquiring  a  knowledge  of,  and  introduc- 
ing the  new  work  into  this  jurisdiction." 


178  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

And  Grand  Master  Lloyd,  in  speaking  of  Lyons' 
memory,  declared: 

^'I  found  Brother  Lyons  a  walking  ency- 
clopedia of  the  law  and  literature  of  Odd 
Fellowship  *  *  *  and  so  well  versed 
in  the  ritual  that,  were  the  original  lost,  he 
could  from  memory  supply  a  correct  copy." 

The  Lodge,  appreciating  the  zeal  and  ability  of 
the  Grand  Secretar^^,  presented  him,  on  the  last  day 
of  the  session  of  1881,  with  a  beautiful  Past  Grand 
Representative's  jewel  and  collar,  Charles  H.  Ran- 
dall, Pa^t  Grand  Master,  making  the  presentation 
speech. 

The  sessions  of  the  Grand  Lodge  at  that  time 
were  held  in  Dashaway  hall,  San  Francisco,  and  in 
1882,  by  invitation  of  the  Santa  Clara  county  lodges 
the  Lodge  voted  to  assemble  in  1883  in  San  Jose, 
the  Garden  City. 

There  the  Representatives  assembled,  and,  cor- 
dially welcomed  by  the  Santa  Clara  brethren.  May 
10th  the  Lodge  was  tendered  a  reception  in  the  San 
Jose  theater.  It  was  a  splendid  treat,  and  by  unani- 
mous vote  the  Lodge  declared — 

^That  the  sincere  and  hearty  thanks  of  this 
Grand  Lodge  be  hereby  tendered  to  the 
Odd  Fellows  of  Santa  Clara,  for  their 
many  courtesies,     *     *     *     and  particu- 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  179 

larly  for  the  unique,  elegant  and  highly 
enjoyable  entertainment.     *     *     " 

This  Avas  the  last  session  of  the  Grand  Lodge  out- 
side of  San  Francisco,  for  in  that  year  they  adopted 
a  constitutional  amendment  that — 

"Hereafter  the  Lodge  will  hold  its  regular 
convocations  at  the  City  of  San  Francisco." 

Previous  to  this  time,  they  had  been  holding  their 
sessions  in  the  larger  cities  of  the  State  (c),  and 
time  and  again  efforts  were  made  by  the  represen- 
tatives of  the  different  sections  to  have  passed  a 
constitutional  amendment  locating  the  Lodge 
permanently  in  their  particular  city,  but  all  of  their 
schemes  failed  until  1883. 

The  first  skirmish  for  permanent  location  took 
place  in  the  year  of  the  Vigilance  Committee  excite- 
ment, 1856,  the  Grand  Lodge  then  sitting  at  Marys- 
ville.  Daniel  McLaren  of  Sacramento,  No.  2,  then 
endeavored  to  have  an  amendment  passed  that  the 
Grand  body  meet  alternately  at  Sacramento  and 
San  Francisco;  but  there  was  so  much  strife  over 
the  matter,  the  Lodge  leaving  the  question  un- 
settled, did  not  even  vote  upon  the  next  place  of 
assembly. 

In  1867  Aaron  A.. Sargent  of  Oustomach  Lodge, 
No.  16,  who  had  previously  strongly  advocated  the 
interests  of   the   mountain   lodges,   now   deserted 


180  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

them,  and  he  called  up  the  resolution  offered  by 
Billings  of  Santa  Clara  Lodge  two  years  previous, 
"that  the  Grand  I^odge  be  permanently  located  at 
San  Francisco."  The  resolution  was  voted  down 
by  a  vote  of  171  to  124,  but  the  following  day 
Nathan  Porter  scored  a  point  for  San  Francisco  by 
his  resolution,  which  was  carried — 

"That  hereafter,  unless  otherwise  ordered 
by  a  vote  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  the  annual 
convocation  thereof  shall  be  held  in  the 
City  of  San  Francisco." 

It  was  a  bright  idea,  successfully  planned,  and 
whenever  the  "city"  representatives  desired  the 
Grand  Lodge  to  there  assemble  they  simply  pre- 
vented any  voting  for  the  following  year's  as- 
semblage. 

Many,  many  times  there  was  a  contest  over  this 
question  of  location,  and  I  might  fill  pages  regard- 
ing it,  hence  it  was  that  many  delegates  were 
pleased  when  the  Lodge  voted  to  "move  about  no 
more"  and  found  a  home  in  San  Francisco.  What 
the  promises  made,  what  the  inducements,  if  any, 
it  is  difficult  at  this  late  day  to  learn.  A  magnifi- 
cent temple  was  in  sight,  an  Odd  Fellows'  home  for 
all  time,  and  May  14th,  1884,  the  corner  store  w^as 
laid. 

It  was  a  great  day  for  San  Francisco,  a  day  of 
jubilee  for  California  Odd  Fellowship,  and  Gover- 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 


181 


nor  George  Stoneman  declaring  it  a  legal  holiday, 
the  public  schools,  business  houses  and  banks  closed 
their  doors,  the  courts  adjourned,  and  the  San  Fran- 


GEO.  W.  GALLUP,  P.  G.  R. 
For  nearly  thirty  years  Brother  Gallup  has  been  a  faithful, 
prominent  worker  in  the  ranks  of  the  Order.  Initiated  in 
Ophir,  No.  171,  January  24th,  1877,  three  years  later  he  joined 
Stockton,  No.  11,  by  withdrawal  card,and  elected  that  night 
as  Conductor,  he  has  been  almost  continuously  in  office  since 
that  time.  For  several  terms  he  has  been  President  of  the 
Relief  Committee.  In  1884  he  became  a  representative  to  the 
Grand  Lodge,  and  for  several  years  he  has  been  on  one  of  the 
most  important  committees,  that  of  Instructor.  Brother  Gallup 
is  not  only  a  worker,  but  he  is  also  high  authority  on  Odd 
Fellow  law,  both  in  the  subordinate  and  the  Rebekah  Lodge, 
he  being  one  of  the  charter  members  of  Rainbow  Rebekah, 
No.  97. 

Cisco  steamboat  and  railroad  companies,  as  far  as 
possible,  gave  their  employes  a  holiday,  hundreds 
of  them  being  Odd  Fellows. 

The  San  Francisco  press,  especially  the  New  Age, 


1^2  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHit*. 

( 'all  and  Chronicle,  published  Odd  FelloAv  editions, 
the  paper  last  named  giving  one-half  of  its  sixty- 
four  pages  to  the  history  of  State  and  National  Odd 
Fellowship.  Delegations  from  all  of  the  lodges  of 
the  Order  were  present  (d) ,  even  from  the  boundary 
lines  of  San  Diego,  Alpine  and  Shasta,  the  home  of 
Grand  Master  Wm.  Allen  and  Grand  Patriarch 
Samuel  Isaacks  (e). 

Early  in  the  day  the  sidewalks  were  lined  with 
thousands  of  people  eager  to  catch  the  first  glimpse 
of  the  columns  that,  forming  on  Post  street, 
marched  along  that  street  to  Kearney  to  Clay  to 
Montgomery  to  ^larket  to  corner  of  Seventh  and 
Market,  where  thousands  more  awaited  the  arrival 
of  the  procession.  On  the  lead  a  drum  corps 
marched,  they  preceding  a  platoon  of  police  under 
the  command  of  Captain  Douglass.  Then  came  the 
Grand  Marshal,  Reuben  H.  Lloyd,  Past  Grand  Mas- 
ter, seated  upon  his  beautiful  coal-black  stallion, 
he  just  in  advance  of  his  forty  aids  in  their  bright 
colored  sashes. 

The  military  were  a  prominent  feature  of  the 
parade.  Companies  A,  C,  F  and  H  of  the  National 
Guard,  together  with  the  San  Francisco  Huzzars, 
liafayette  Guard,  San  Francisco  Schuetzen  Verein 
and  the  French  Zouaves,  these  acting  as  escorts  to 
the  German  and  French  Odd  Fellow  Lodges. 

Another  notable  feature  was  the  precise  military 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  183 

movements  of  the  six  Uniform  Degree  Camps — 
Sacramento  No.  1,  Chico  No.  2,  San  Francisco 
No.  5,  Neva  No.  6,  Manchester  No.  8  and  Red  Bluff 
— each  camp  wearing  sashes  of  purple  velvet,  trim- 
med with  gold  fringe;  black  felt  hats  with  purple 
plumes,  and  with  a  sword  as  side  arms.  As  they 
marched  along  the  widest  streets,  the  two  best  drilled 
camps  gave  an  exhibition  of  fancy  drilling,  and  as 
the  Patriarchs  turned  into  Market  street  the  effect 
was  described  as  grand. 

The  subordinate  lodges  marched  in  the  parade  by 
counties,  fifty  counties  being  in  line.  In  the  sixth 
division  rode  the  Grand  officers,  W.  W.  Morrow, 
Grand  Master;  and  the  seventh  division  contained 
the  California  Pioneers,  the  Governor  of  California 
(George  Stoneman),  the  Mayor  of  San  Francisco 
(Washington  Bartlett),  Past  Grand  Sire  John  B. 
Harmon  (orator  of  the  day),  Clarence  T.  Urmy 
(the  poet),  and  W.  E.  Sheridan  (the  reader).  Past 
Grand  Masters  of  Odd  Fellowship,  and  State  officers. 

The  procession  of  8,000  men  halted  on  Market 
street  as  the  head  of  the  parade  reached  the  build- 
ing, and,  opening  ranks,  the  officers  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  and  the  Federal  and  State  officers  marching 
through  the  line,  took  their  places  upon  the  plat- 
form. 

The  ceremony  of  laying  the  corner  stone  was 
performed  by  W.  W.  Morrow,  Grand  Master;  E.  P. 


184  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

Smith,  Deputy  Grand  Master;  Nathaniel  Cook, 
Grand  Warden ;  W.  B.  Lyons,  Grand  Secretary,  and 
A.  F.  Hitchcock,  Grand  Chaplain.  The  procession, 
reforming,  then  marched  to  the  Mechanics'  Pavil- 
ion, already  crowded  with  the  friends  of  the  Order, 
and  the  officers  succeeded  in  pushing  their  way  to 
the  platform  through  that  vast  audience  of  12,000. 
The  exercises  opened  with  music  by  the  band. 
The  President  then  stepping  forward,  introduced 
the  Chaplain,  he  offering  a  prayer.  W.  E.  Sheridan, 
the  famous  actor,  stepping  to  the  front,  then  read 
in  a  loud,  clear  tone  of  voice,  a  forty-eight  line  poem 
composed  by  Clarence  T.  Urmy.  It  was  an  invoca- 
tion to  the  "angels  three,"  Friendship,  Love  and 
Truth,  and  thus  it  closed : 

"O,  angels  three ;  from  earth  and  air  and  sky 
Gather  all  gifts  of  good  and  bring  them  nigh. 
That  this  fair  temple  may  all  glorious  be 
A  Rock  of  Ages  by  the  western  sea. 
******* 

Fold  your  weary  wings,  no  more  to  roam, 
And  make  this  temple  your  eternal  home." 

The  oration  of  Past  Grand  Sire  Harmon,  occupying 
some  two  hours  in  its  delivery  and  filling  twelve  and 
a  half  pages  in  the  journal,  brevier  type,  was  a  most 
able  effort,  excelling  his  splendid  oration  welcom- 
ing the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  in  1869. 

The  great  day  of  good  fellowship  closed  with  a 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  185 

ball  in  the  pavilion,  but  so  great  was  the  "crush  of 
humanity,- -  as  Lyons  expressed  it,  it  Avas  impossible 
to  commence  dancing  until  a  late  hour.  The  pro- 
gram said  there  would  be  fancy  drilling  by  the 
d^ree  camps,  but  it  was  impossible,  because  of  the 
crowd. 

Just  two  years  later,  March  24th,  1884,  C.  T. 
Pidwell,  Secretary  of  the  Odd  Fellows'  Association, 
invited  the  Grand  Lodge  to  dedicate  "our  new  hall 
during  the  official  session  of  your  Grand  body." 
The  Lodge  accepted  the  invitation  and  adjourned  at 
noon  Wednesday,  May  12tli,  for  that  purpose. 

Long  before  the  hour  of  dedication,  2  o'clock,  the 
hall  was  packed.  At  the  time  appointed  the  stage 
was  occupied  by  the  President  of  the  Association, 
Wm.  K.  Deitrich;  the  Building  Committee,  Jules 
Cerf  (chairman),  lleuben  H.  Lloyd,  Robert  Haight, 
W.  K.  Vanderslice  and  H.  Druffel,  together  with 
the  architect,  John  Wright. 

The  assembly  was  called  to  order  by  Jules  Cerf, 
and  immediately  the  Sentinel  announced  Grand 
Master  Cook  and  his  officers  in  waiting  to  dedicate 
the  hall.  They  were  admitted,  and  talking  their 
seats  upon  the  platform,  the  Grand  Master  de- 
clared :  "It  is  my  will  that  the  Grand  Marshal  and 
his  Heralds  appear." 

There  was  another  movement  at  the  door  and 
the    Grand    Marshal,  W.   F.    Norcross,    and    his 


186  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

Heralds  marched  in,  each  Herald  wearing  the  robes 
appropriate  to  his  station.  First  came  the  Marshal 
in  his  robe  of  royal  purple  trimmed  with  green  and 
gold;  behind  him,  arm  in  arm,  the  Herald  of  the 
North,  L.  W.  S.  Downs,  in  a  robe  of  pure  white,  and 
the  Herald  of  the  South,  Leon  D.  Freer,  in  a  pink 
robe;  then  came  A.  D.  Smith,  the  Herald  of  the 
West,  wearing  a  robe  of  blue,  and  by  his  side, 
J.  N.  E.  Wilson,  the  Herald  of  the  East,  in  a  scarlet 
robe.  For  the  first  time,  the  Grand  Lodge  used  the 
beautiful  dedication  ceremony  adopted  by  the 
Supreme  body  two  years  previous,  and  its  beauty 
was  increased  by  the  male  singing  voices  of  the 
Eureka  quartette.  At  the  conclusion  of  the  cere- 
mony J.  E.  Benton,  Past  Grand  of  Oakland, 
No.  118,  delivered  a  short  address,  and  the  audience 
then  joined  in  singing  the  doxology  and  were  dis- 
missed. 

The  magnificent  building  had  been  constructed 
with  a  large  assembly  hall  so  arranged  that  it  could 
be  used  as  the  assembling  place  of  the  Grand  Lodge, 
having  committee  rooms,  tables  and  every  necessary 
convenience.  There  the  Lodge  annually  met  until 
1903,  at  which  time  the  representatives  were  much 
surprised  and  provoked  to  learn  that  they  must 
meet  in  B'nai  B'rith  hall,  as  the  assembly  hall, 
which  was  in  a  certain  sense  sacred  to  Odd  Fellow- 
ship, had  been  leased  for  a  term  of  years  to  a  ten- 


CALlF^OllNlA    Ot)D    F^ELLOWSttlf .  18? 

cent  variety  show.  It  was  stipulated  in  the  lease 
that  the  variety  show  should  vacate  the  first  week 
in  May  for  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  the  show,  putting 
in  scenery  and  fastening  the  seats  to  the  floor,  it  was 
found  impossible  to  vacate  for  only  one  week, 
except  at  a  heavj-  expense. 

Hence  the  Grand  Lodge  of  California,  one  of  the 
gmndest  organizations  in  the  world,  whose  member- 
ship embraced  tl^e  most  intelligent,  most  high- 
minded  men  of  the  State,  must  needs  step  down  and 
out  for  a  vile,  character  corrupting  ten-cent  show! 
Was  it  not  humiliating?  Is  it  a  matter  of  surprise 
that  many  of  the  representatives  were  hot? 
Methinks  not  And  Avhen  they  assembled  in  the 
Jewish  hall.  Grove  L.  Johnson  of  Capitol  Lodge, 
No.  87,' presented  an  amendment  to  the  constitution, 
"that  this  Grand  Ix)dge  shall  hold  regular  annual 
communications  at  such  place  as  the  Grand  Lodge 
nmy  by  a  vote  select.-'  The  Committee  on  Legisla- 
tion— O.  B.  Parkinson  of  Stockton,  W.  W.  Phelps 
of  Riverside,  H.  G.  ^^  ulff  of  Sacramento  and  A.  M. 
Drew  of  Fresno — to  whom  the  amendme^it  was 
referred,  rcM^ommended  the  adoption  of  the  amend- 
ment The  Lodge  were  disposed  to  be  charitable 
towards  the  association,  and  they  voted  Johnson's 
r(»solution  down,  accepting  in  place  of  it  by  unani- 
mous consent  Representative  Ogden's  resolution: 
"That  it  is  the  sense  of  this  Grand  Lodge 


188  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

that  all  future  meetings  thereof  be  held  in 
that  temple  erected  to  commemorate  and 
perpetuate  the  virtues  and  beauties  of  Odd 
Fellowship,  the  Odd  Fellows'  building  of 
San  Francisco." 

It  was  a  foolish  resolution,  unless  presented  as  a 
joke,  as  the  Trustees  could  not  brush  aside  the  lease. 
And  so,  in  1904,  they  reported : 

"The  place  to  hold  our  sessions  has  been  a 
matter  of  deep  consideration,  *  *  * 
but  the  assembly  hall,  as  now  arranged, 
could  not  now  be  made  suitable  for  the 
uses  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  Then,  again,  we 
could  not  have  the  use  of  it  after  Friday 
nighf 

Many  of  the  representatives  would  stand  no  more 
trifling — San  Francisco  appeared  to  be  asleep — and 
in  1905  Johnson  again  introduced  his  amendment 
to  the  constitution — 

"That  the  regular  annual  communications 
be  held  at  San  Francisco,  or  some  other 
locj^lity,  as  may  be  selected  by  the  Grand 
Lodge,  and  that  for  1906  the  Grand  Lodge 
be  held  in  Los  Angeles,  provided  the  first 
amendment  be  approved." 

For  the  first  time  in  its  history  San  Francisco 
was  a  contestant  against  the  State,  Los  Angeles  her 
opponent,  and  she  won  out  by  only  a  scratch.    Four 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  189 

Imndred  and  ninety-eight  votes  were  cast,  331  in 
favor  of  tlie  amendment,  only  167  against,  332  votes 
being  necessary  to  carry  it  (f).  The  Rebekah 
assembly,  believing  the  amendment  would  carry, 
voted  to  assemble  in  Los  Angeles  in  1906.  The  end 
is  not  yet,  unless  San  Francisco  gets  a  move  on. 


(a)  Some  delay  was  experienced  in  receiving  the  new 
work,  and  it  did  not  reach  the  Grand  Secretary  until  January 
24th.  The  first  lodge  to  put  the  revision  upon  the  floor  was 
Capay  Lodge,  No.  30.  By  Wells-Fargo's  Express  they  received 
the  rituals  the  day  of  their  regular  meeting,  and  that  evening, 
February  26th,  they  initiated  a  candidate. 

(b)  The  committee  were  certa;inly  correct,  for  the  author 
himself,  four  years  a  member,  did  not  take  the  degrees  until 
the  new  law  was  passed.  Then  in  San  Francisco  they  were 
conferred  upon  him  by  Excelsior  Degree  Lodge,  No.  1,  M.  T. 
Moses  being  the  Degree  Master. 

(c)  The  Grand  Lodge  was  held  in  the  following  cities  in 
the  years  named,  crediting  to  San  Francisco  the  years  not 
named: 

Vallejo,  1874. 

Marysville,  1856,  1862. 

San  Jose,  1872,  1883. 

Stockton,  1855,  1857. 

Sacramento,  1854,  1858,  1860,  1864,  1871. 

(d)  The  San  Joaquin  county  Odd  Fellows  chartered  the 
steamer  Centennial  for  the  occasion,  and  May  1st,  they  gave 
an  excursion  around  the  bay,  the  Grand  Lodge  accompanying 
them. 

Uniform  Degree  Camp,  No.  5,  set  a  free  lunch  each  day 
in  B'nai  B'rith  hall,  to  which  all  brethren  were  invited. 

(e)  Samuel  Isaacks,  from  Shasta,  was  a  prominent 
brother,  and  his  letter  to  the  New  Age,  August  15th,  1875,  after 
receiving  his  jewel  as  Grand  Patriarch,  shows  the  sturdy, 
manly  character  of  the  pioneers.  In  this  letter  he  says: 
"You  should  come  up  here  and  see  me  at  work  with  my 
sleeves  rolled  up,  ready  for  any  kind  of  work — shoeing  a  mule 
that  Can  kick  a  ten-cent  piece  off  your  head,  or  going  into  the 
lodges  and  giving  degrees  half  the  night,  when  the  thermom- 
eter stands  at  106.    How  is  that  for  hot.    I  have  received  my 


190  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

jewel,  voted  me  by  the  Grand  Encampment,  and  it  is  a  perfect 
beauty  to  look  at." 

(f)  All  the  Grand  oflficers  stood  pat,  except  Deputy  Grand 
Master  W.  W.  Phelps  and  C.  W.  Baker,  Sacramento's  Grand 
Representative.  All  the  Past  Grand  Masters  present — Karl  C. 
Brueck,  A.  M.  Drew,  W.  A.  Bonynge,  Wm.  Nichols,  Milton  G. 
Gill  and  J.  W.  Warboys — voted  for  the  amendment,  except 
David  Louderback.  One  of  the  Los  Angeles  delegates  changed 
his  colors,  and  a  representative  of  No.  6  was  sight  seeing. 


ANDREW  WOLF. 

Brother  Wolf,  now  85  years  of  age,  is  the  only  living  repre- 
sentative of  the  first  Grand  Encampment.  He  is,  also,  one  of 
the  oldest  California  Odd  Fellows,  he  having  been  a  continuous 
member  since  his  initiation  in  Buckeye  Lodge,  No.  45,  Ohio, 
September  3d,  1845. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

San  Francisco's  decreasing  fraternal  influence — Death  of 
Deputy  Grand  Master  Gault — Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  invited 
to  assemble  in  Los  Angeles — Grand  officers  visit  California — 
San  Francisco  unhappy — Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  convenes  in 
Southland — The  Odd  Fellows'  Home — A  school  for  orphan 
children — San  Francisco  lodges  will  not  give  a  dollar — They 
select  a  home  for  the  Grand  Lodge — Napa  chosen  as  a  home 
site — Lodge  appoints  a  special  committee  on  home — Rudolph 
Gnekow  donates  land — Committee  accepts  the  Thermalito 
property — Kick  about  the  Chinese — Investigating  Committee 
reports  on  home — Santa  Clara  Odd  Fellows'  generous  gift — 
Water  everywhere,  but  none  to  drink — The  White  tract  money 
returned. 

The  largeness  of  San  Francisco  in  wealth,  popu- 
lation and  fraternal  numbers  gave  them  the  power 
for  many  years  to  take  what  they  wanted.  First, 
the  mountain  camps,  with  their  large  numbers  of 
grand,  whole  souled  Odd  Fellows,  were  the  pre- 
dominating factor;  but  the  decreasing  value  of  the 
gold  mines  caused  a  flow  of  the  mountain  popula- 
tion to  the  valleys  and  large  cities.  Then  San  Fran- 
cisco held  sway.  But  noAV  the  swing  of  the  tide  is 
moving  beyond  the  Tehachapi,  and  fast  the  South- 
land is  pre<lominating  not  only  in  fraternal  but  in 
political  affairs.  "The  territory  once  inhabited  by 
indolent  Indians  and  sleepy,  dreaming  Mexicans" 
has  grown  to  a  progressive,  enterprising,  hustling 
section  of  business  men,  and  the  litle  band  of  seven 
brothers  that  founded  Los  Angeles,  No.  35,  in  1855, 
has  now  increased,  last  report,  to  fifty-seven  sub- 
ordinate lodges,  with  a  membership  of  5,788. 


192  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

Their  ambitions  are  high,  their  aims  lofty,  and 
they  believe  that  the  only  way  to  obtain  anything 
of  value  is  to  ask  and  then  work  for  it.  With  this 
idea  in  view  the  thirty-seven  representatives  to  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  1887  resolved  that  the  Grand  Mas- 
ter of  1890  should  for  a  second  time  hail  from  the 
south,  C.  W.  Dannals  having  been  elected  from  San 
Juan  Lodge,  No.  67,  in  1870.  They  selected  for  that 
office  Charles  E.  Gault  of  Golden  Rule,  No.  160,  a 
very  popular  and  energetic  employee  of  Wells- 
Fargo's  Express,  and  nominated  for  Grand  Warden 
by  H.  T.  Dorrance  of  No.  6,  he  received  230  of  the 
416  votes  cast.  Death  again  stepped  in  to  vacate 
the  chair,  and  for  the  second  time,  March  20th,  1890, 
a  Deputy  Grand  Master  crossed  to  the  beyond  (a). 

Gault  was  the  leader  in  the  movement  to  have  the 
Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  assemble  in  Los  Angeks  in 
1888,  and  his  resolution,  presented  to  his  OAvn  lodge, 
Golden  Rule,  No.  160,  was  adopted  by  all  the  Los 
Angeles  lodges:  "That  the  Grand  Representatives 
*  *  *  be  requested  *  *  *  to  have  the  next 
session  of  the  S.  G.  L.  held  at  Los  Angeles,  Cali- 
fornia, as  it  Avould  be  for  the  best  interests  of  the 
Order,  *  *  *  and  especially  of  Southern  Cali- 
fornia that  a  session  be  held  in  this  place."  When 
the  highest  body  met  at  Denver,  Colorado,  the  Cali- 
fornia representatives — Wesley  Minta  of  Stockton, 
W.  W.  Lyman  of  Sonoma,  Leon  D.  Freer  of  Oroville 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  193 

and  Charles  H.  Randall  of  Sonora — moved  the 
adoption  of  a  resolution  that  the  Sovereign  Grand 
Lodge  session  of  1888  be  held  in  the  city  of  Los  An- 
geles, California.  The  resolution  was  adopted  by 
a  vote  of  98  to  49,  although  Representative  Good- 
win of  Georgia,  since  Grand  Sire,  now  Grand  Sec- 
retary, endeavored  to  kill  the  resolution  by  his 
amendment  ^'provided  their  expenses  be  not  greater 
than  their  expenses  at  Denver."  When  the  Los 
Angeles  brethren  heard  by  telegram  of  the  result 
they  celebrated  in  great  style. 

Immediately  after  the  close  of  the  Sovereign 
CJrand  Lodge  session.  Grand  Sire  John  H.  White, 
Deputy  Grand  Sire  John  C.  Underwood,  Brigadier 
General  Russell,  and  several  more  noted  Odd  Fel- 
lows visited  California  to  overlook  the  field  and 
make  ready  for  the  coming  event.  They  reached 
the  Golden  State  by  the  southern  route,  and  at  Los 
Angeles  they  were  given  a  rousing  ovation.  On 
arrival  at  San  Francisco  October  3d,  they  were 
royally  welcomed  and  escorted  to  the  Palace  hotel 
by  the  Patriarch  Militant.  In  the  evening  a  vast 
audience  greeted  the  visitors  and  speeches  were 
made  by  the  Grand  officers.  Mayor  Pond  and  Grand 
Master  Elwood  Bruner. 

On  the  afternoon  following.  Templar  Rebekah 
D^ree  Lodge  held  a  special  meeting  in  the  Odd 
Fellows'  hall,  for  the  entertainment  of  the  visitors, 


194  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP, 

and  put  upon  the  floor  the  "California  beautified 
work."  The  work  and  the  manner  in  which  it  was 
performed  w^as  highly  praised  by  the  Grand  officers. 
The  entertaining  of  the  guests  closed  Wednesday 
evening,  October  5th,  at  which  time  Golden  West 
Lodge,  No.  322,  composed  of  native  sons,  held  a 
special  meeting  and  conferred  the  degrees,  (b) 

The  action  of  the  Supreme  body  in  voting  to  meet 
in  Los  Angeles  made  the  San  Francisco  brethren 
very  "unhappy,"  for  they  believed  the  City  of 
Angeles  was  not  a  proper  place  for  the  assembling 
of  so  distinguished  a  body ;  they  should  have  met  in 
San  Francisco.  The  audacity  of  Los  Angeles  for 
requesting  such  a  result  was  commented  on,  and 
they  endeavored  to  have  the  place  of  convocation 
changed  to  San  Francisco.  This  called  forth  from 
the  reception  committee  a  pretty  severe  response, 
and  tliey  declared,  "that  notwithstanding  the  feel- 
ing, the  meeting  will  take  place;  the  location  can 
not  be  changed,  as  it  has  become  a  State  matter, 
and  this  Grand  lodge  must  take  control  of  the 
situation  *  *  *  and  achieve  success  for  us 
next  September."  The  committee  report  was 
adopted  after  a  Yerj  spirited  discussion,  although 
an  effort  was  made  to  have  stricken  out  the  words, 
"the  location  cannot  be  changed." 

The  Lodge  arrived  at  Los  Angeles  March  17th, 
and  assembled    in    Turn    Verein    hall,  55    Grand 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  195 

Lodges  and  41  Eiicampments  represented.  A 
reception  was  tendered  them  that  evening  in  the 
Academy  of  Music,  and  addresses  of  welcome  made 
by  Lieutenant-Governor  Stephen  J.  White,  Mayor 
Work  of  Los  Angeles  and  Reuben  H.  Lloyd,  to  all 
of  which  Grand  Sire  White  responded.  A  parade 
two  miles  in  length  took  place  the  next  da^^,  and  it 
was  witnessed  by  150,000  people.  The  visitors  were 
sliown  all  of  the  sights  of  Los  Angeles,  and  excur- 
sions, socials  and  concerts  took  up  and  occupied  all 
of  the  leisure  time  of  the  guests. 

"The  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  Avere  accorded 
many  receptions,"  said  Grand  Master  Lloyd;  "and 
I  am  satisfietl  it  conferred  an  estimable  benefit  on 
us,  in  awakening  in  the  people  a  large  and  rencAved 
interest  in  the  Order." 

On  a  high  bluff  of  the  Avest  bank  of  the  Feather 
riA'er,  opposite  the  old  mining  camp  of  Oroville, 
stands  the  Odd  Fellows'  Home.  "The  buildings, 
beautiful  in  architectural  design  and  palatial  in 
extent,  said  DreAV,  were  erected  in  the  seventies  by 
the  Thermalito  Colony  Company,  as  an  inducement 
for  colonists  to  there  locate,  the  hotel  being  knoAvn 
as  the  Bella  Vista,  tAvo  Spanish  Avords,  meaning 
"pretty  view."  It  is  indeed  a  pretty  vieAV.  "Its 
location  is  as  beautiful  as  described,"  said  Gosbey, 
while  Linscott  Avrote,  saying,  "What  a  iK^autiful 
spot.    It  is  beautifully  located,  and  has  a  magnifi- 


196  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

cent  vieAv  of  the  surrounding  country;  its  orange- 
laden  groves,  its  distant  green  hills,  its  valley 
dotted  Avith  farms  and  dwellings  and  the  broad 
river  flowing  near." 

The  Building  Committee  on  'November  24th 
found  the  orange  growers  actively  engaged  in  pick- 
ing and  packing  their  fruit,  and  we  "feasted  upon 
luscious  ripe  oranges,  plucked  fresh  from  the 
trees."  At  Thermalito  oranges  ripen  earlier  than 
in  any  other  part  of  the  State,  yet  the  climate  in 
summer  is  unbearably  hot,  both  night  and  day,  and 
malaria  fills  the  soft  balmy  air.  Hence  it  was  that 
this  beautiful  building,  in  its  lovely  location,  was 
abandoned  nearly  complete,  after  an  expenditure 
of  over  120,000,  later  to  be  accepted  free  of  cost  as 
an  Odd  Fellows'  Home. 

The  story  of  the  Home  is  long,  extending  over  a 
period  of  thirty  years,  and  I  can  but  touch  upon  a 
few  of  the  leading  events;  but  as  we  are  still  look- 
ing for  a  "home,"  let  us  learn  by  the  experiences  of 
the  past,  to  observe  that  good,  old  Latin  proverb, 
"Hasten  slowly,"  and  then  follow  David  Crockett's 
advice,  "Be  sure  you  are  right,  then  go  ahead." 

In  1859  the  flourishing  little  Lodges,  Volcano, 
No.  25,  and  Lancha  Plana,  No.  95,  made  inquiry 
"regarding  the  expediency  of  establishing  a  school 
for  the  orphans  and  children  of  Odd  Fellows."  The 
question  was  discussed  until  1870,  at  which  time 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  197 

Orand  Master  Haswell  said,  "We  should  provide 
for  the  support  and  education  of  orphans.  We  also 
need  a  home  for  the  aged  and  infirm,  and  all  could 
be  supplied  by  a  single  institution."  The  Overland 
railroad  was  that  year  completed,  and  the  Lodge, 
as  well  as  Haswell,  believed  thousands  of  Odd 
Fellows  would  rush  to  California,  many  of  them 
aged  and  infirm.  A  Home  Committee  was 
appointed,  and  they  accepted  John  B.  Frisbie's 
proposition  for  a  home  site  at  Vallejo,  Frisbie 
anticipating  a  fortune  at  the  Grand  Lodge  expense. 
The  Lodge,  on  motion  of  H.  G.  Tilden,  voted 
( including  the  118  representatives  from  the  14  San 
Francisco  lodges)  to  "accept  the  Frisbie  proposi- 
tion, and  take  the  necessary  steps  to  carry  out  the 
sama"  Fortunately,  the  San  Francisco  Lodges, 
suspicioning  that  the  Grand  Lodge  was  being 
"buncoed,"  sent  a  man  to  spy  out  the  land.  He 
returned  and  reported  that  the  location  was 
undesirable,  the  climate  cold  and  chilly  and 
Frisbie's  land  worth  not  a  quarter  the  Lodge  had 
agreed  to  pay  for  it  Other  expei-ts  confirmed  this 
unfavorable  report,  and  July  9th,  1870,  the  San 
P^rancisco  Lodges  called  a  mass  convention  and 
passed  a  resolution  "that  the  Frisbie  proposition  is 
an  inadvisable  one  and  not  entitled  to  our  support." 
They  then  requested  the  Grand  I^odge  Home  Com- 
mittee "to  stay  all  furtlier  proceedings,''  as  the  San 


198  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

Francisco  Lodges  would  ''not  take  a  single  share  in 
the  enterprise  of  the  Grand  Lodge  at  Yallejo."  The 
committee  did  as  requested,  they  declaring  that  as 
the  San  Francisco  Lodges  represented  at  least 
one- third  of  the  wealth  and  membership  of  the 
Order,  such  a  "stupendous  undertaking"  could  not 
be  carried  on  without  their  co-operation. 

Later  San  Francisco  Lodge,  No.  3,  took  up  the 
liome  proposition,  and  August  3rd  they  called  a  sec- 
and  convention.  Officers  were  elected,  with  John  A. 
^McClelland  as  President  and  Cliarles  A.  Sumner 
as  Secretary,  and  appointing  an  Executive  Com- 
mittee; they  advertised  for  bids  or  donations  for 
an  Odd  Fellows'  College  and  Home.  They  received 
fifty-two  propositions,  among  them  Stockton,  Sac- 
ramento, Gilroy,  Vallejo,  Los  Angeles,  Decoto,  now 
the  Masonic  Home,  and  other  points.  The  com- 
mittee, at  their  own  expense  and  the  expense  of  the 
Odd  Fellows  of  the  localities  visited,  continued 
their  junketing  trips  for  over  three  months.  They 
had  a  fine  time,  and  Napa,  Avith  its  brass  band 
and  grape-covered  banquet  hall,  captured  the  com- 
mittee. Returning  to  San  Francisco,  they  voted 
for  the  Kilburn  tract  of  200  acres  of  land,  and 
130,000  in  cash,  the  citizens  and  Odd  Fellows  of 
Napa  promising  to  give  land  free  and  money,  pro- 
vided the  Grand  Lodge  erected  buildings  upon  the 
site,  in  value  not  less  than  |100,000  before  May  1st, 


20()  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

1873.  Mark  you,  the  Grand  Lodge  had  not  author- 
ized a  single  part  of  this  transaction,  yet  this  com- 
mittee, going  before  the  Grand  Body,  easily  had 
their  acts  approved.  Sacramento  put  in  a  bid  for 
the  home  (c)  but  Napa  easily  won  it,  by  a  vote 
of  460  to  80. 

A  Board  of  twenty-four  Trustees  was  then  ap- 
pointed and  incorporating  September  21st,  1871, 
they  elected  Newton  Booth,  President ;  John  A.  Mc- 
Clelland, Vice-President;  Charles  N.  Fox,  Secre- 
tary; and  Abram  Block,  President  of  the  Odd 
Fellows'  Savings  Bank,  Treasurer.  The  Board 
went  out  of  existence  in  1880,  by  the  adoption  of 
the  ne\v  State  Constitution,  the  home  still  a  dream, 
for  nothing  had  been  accomplished. 

In  the  meantime  the  idea  of  a  college  was  given 
up,  because  of  the  Berkeley  College  of  California, 
and  the  orphans'  home  idea  had  been  abandoned 
because  more  able  financiers,  the  Rebekahs,  had 
that  subject  in  hand.  The  home  project  took  a 
tangible  shape  in  1892.  That  year  the  Lodge 
adopted  the  suggestion  of  Fred  J.  Moll  Sr.,  after- 
ward a  superintendent  at  the  home,  ^'that  such 
amendment  be  made  to  the  Constitution  as  will 
permit  the  building  of  a  home  and  the  assessment 
of  members."  A  special  committee,  appointed  on 
tliis  subject,  reported  in  1894,  that  a  Board  of  five 
Trustees  be  selected  to  procure  a  home  site. 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  20i 

The  committee,  Reuben  H.  Lloyd,  William  H. 
Barnes,  Charles  N.  Fox,  S.  B.  Smith  and  W.  F. 
Norcross,  sent  out  to  each  I^dge  a  list  of  questions 
bearing  relation  to  the  home  question,  expecting 
a  return  answer  from  each  Lodge.  The  response 
was  very  unsatisfactory.  They  also  called  for 
donations  or  bids,  for  improved  or  unimproved 
properties  on  sale.  Only  one  donator  responded, 
Rudolph  Gnekow  of  Stockton,  No.  11,  he  offering 
free  a  twenty-acre  plot  of  fertile  unimproved  land 
two  miles  from  Stockton.  Accompanying  the  offer, 
if  accepted,  Avas  the  promise  of  the  San  Joaquin 
Judges  to  pay  cash'  |4,800.()0.  fd)  Splendid 
improved  properties,  at  a  rather  high  price,  was 
offered  in  Santa  Clara,  Los  Angeles,  Sonoma  and 
Marin  counties,  and  said  tlie  committee,  '^eacli  of 
v,hich  could  be  made  immediately  available  for  the 
purposes  of  a  home."  ''The  committee  l)elieved  it 
would  be  folly  to  purcliase  or  accept  naked  land 
and  attempt  to  erect  buildings  for  our  use  when  we 
can  save  at  least  one-third  of  the  cost  of  new  build- 
ings by  purchasing  improved  property.'' 

Laboring  under  that  delusive  idea,  they  rec^eived 
a  letter  from  Oroville,  stating  that  the  Thermalito 
property  was  theirs  free  of  cost.  They  visited  the 
spot,  were  glamored  by  the  ''Bella  Vista,"  a  fine, 
large  building  and  eight  acres  of  land,  and  fetisting 


202  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

"upon  luscious  ripe  oranges,  plucked  fresh  from  the 
trees,"  they  returned  to  San  Francisco  and  by  a 
vote  of  four  to  one,  accepted  the  Thermalito  gift. 
They  did  not  stop  to  consider  why  a  |32,000  hotel, 
nearly  finished,  had  been  given  away.  Had  they  so 
considered,  they  would  have  saved  the  Grand  Lodge 
thousands  of  dollars  and  the  warm  brotherly  dis- 
cussions of  the  past  five  years. 

The  Grand  Lodge  approved  of  the  committee's 
action,  and  assessed  each  member  55  cents  for  the 
maintenance  and  support  of  the  home.  It  was 
opened  for  the  reception  of  old  brothers  and  sisters 
November,  1895,  and  fifty-three  persons  found  a 
home.  Before  six  months  had  passed  there  were 
murmurings  of  discontent,  and  the  superintendent 
was  changed.  Then  came  the  kick  about  the 
employment  of  Chinese  in  the  laundry,  and  in  1897 
Representative  Burns'  resolution  carried,  that  in 
the  future  no  Chinese  be  employed  upon  the 
premises. 

Then  came  the  complaints  that  would  not  be 
quieted,  the  hot,  sultry  summer  days  and  nights; 
chilling  winters;  the  crowded  condition  of  the 
building,  three  and  four  in  an  attic  room ;  the  great 
danger  from  fire;  the  unsanitary  condition  of  the 
place;  the  poisonous  air  that  came  from  the  river 
and  the  malaria  that  kept  many  of  the  brothers 
continuously  sick. 


CALiFOkNiA    Ot)t>    ^BLLOWSHlt*.  20^ 

One  excited  representative  wanted  the  home 
closed  immediately  and  no  more  money  there 
expended.  The  Grand  Lodge  adopted  the  more 
sensible  resolution,  that  an  investigating  com- 
mittee be  apj)ointed,  they  to  report  on  or  before 
Marcli,  1899.  The  special  committee  report  was 
very  unfavorable  and  W.  \\\  Plielps  favored  the 
removal  of  the  home,  and  that  the  standing  com- 
mittee be  authorized  to  select  and  build  a  new  home 
during  the  year  1900.  His  resolution  was  lost, 
290  to  201,  the  Lodge  accepting  the  recommendation 
of  the  special  committee,  that  no  more  land  be 
purchased  or  unnecessary  money  be  expended  dur- 
ing the  next  live  years,  the  colony  agreeing  to  give 
the  Grand  Lodge  a  deed  of  the  property,  at  the 
expiration  of  that  time,  if  it  still  he  considered 
undesirable. 

The  Grand  Lodge  of  1900  authorized  Grand 
Master  AVatson  to  appoint  a  special  committee  to 
call  for  bids  and  examine  liome  sites.  ''As  the  home 
is  practically  full,"  Alexander  declared  in  his  reso- 
lution. The  committee  appointed,  J.  G.  Kellogg 
and  John  Thompscm  of  San  Francisco,  A.  M.  Drew 
of  Fresno,  (ieorge  W.  Stockwell  of  Los  Angeles 
and  J.  H.  Mitchell  of  Willows,  after  examining  a 
large  number  of  tracts,  improved  and  unimproved, 
recommended  "the  White  ranch  as  the  most  desir- 
able."    The    Santa    Clara    County    Odd    Fellows 


204  CALIFORNIA    ODD   FELLOWSHIP. 

offered  to  deed  this  ranch  free  to  the  Grand  Lodge, 
provided  they  would  erect  suitable  buildings  on  or 
before  September,  1902.  The  Lodge  accepted  the 
gift  of  1901,  and  October  1st,  at  a  public  reception 
in  San  Jose,  Judge  M.  H.  Hyland  in  a  pleasing 
address,  presented  the  deed  to  William  Nichols, 
Grand  Master,  the  address  being  followed  by  liter- 
ary exercises  and  a  banquet. 

As  the  Lodge  did  not  carry  out  the  conditions 
within  the  time  limit.  Representative  S.  V.  More- 
land,  acting  for  the  donators,  petitioned  the  Lodge 
of  1903  to  do  one  of  three  things,  either  build, 
reconvey  to  him  the  deed  or  give  him  the  amount 
paid  by  the  contributors,  |13,227.  The  Lodge  now 
got  down  to  business,  and  by  a  vote  of  395  to  224, 
they  resolved  to  commence  building  on  or  before 
September,  1903,  they  also  levying  a  new  home  tax 
of  30  cents  per  member. 

In  the  meantime  the  Trustees  had  been  feeling  its 
way  by  sounding  the  members  of  all  the  Lodges, 
and  of  the  very  few  who  took  any  interest  whatever, 
3,612  said  abandon  the  Thermalito  Home,  6,661 
said  do  not  build  cheap  buildings  at  the  new  home, 
and  4086  said  build  of  brick  or  stone,  while  3068 
voted  to  make  Thermalito  a  supplemental  home, 
194  voted  for  cheap  buildings  on  the  new  site  and 
2427  voted  against  brick  or  stone  material. 

The  Trustees  were  authorized  to  proceed  with  the 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  205 

Dew  buildino',  and  as  a  large  amouut  of  pure,  whole- 
some water  would  be  necessary  for  home  use,  they 
began  boring  wells.  After  expending  |2,968  they 
gave  up  the  job,  as  every  well  bored  was  heavily 
impregnated  with  minerals.  This  "bad  luck"  was 
reported  to  the  I.XKige  and  by  resolution  the  Lodge 
kept  the  land  and  returned  to  the  Santa  Clara 
contributors  the  money  by  them  contributed.  As 
this  money  was  taken  from  the  new  home  fund, 
Kepresentative  M.  T.  Moses  protested  and  took  an 
appeal  from  the  decision  of  the  Grand  Lodge  to  the 
Sovereign  Grand  Lodge.  "We  still  have  the  White 
tract,"  said  the  Trustees  in  1905. 

(a)  Charles  Gault  died  at  Beaumont,  near  Los  Angeles, 
March  20th,  1890,  at  the  age  of  31.  His  funeral  on  Sunday, 
the  22d,  was  attended  by  Grand  Secretary  Lyons  and  Grand 
Treasurer  George  Lamont,  they  conducting  the  funeral  service 
in  the  Odd  Fellows'  new  cemetery.  The  honored  services  were 
held  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  conducted  by  Revs. 
J.  M.  Hilbrish,  R.  H.  Cantine  and  Wm.  A.  Knighten,  the  last 
named  preaching  the  funeral  sermon. 

(b)  The  work  was  arranged  by  Past  Grand  H.  D.  Richard- 
son and  his  wife  of  Vallejo.  The  lodges  who  saw  the  work 
were  highly  pleased  with  it,  and  in  1888  it  was  exemplified 
before  the  Grand  Lodge,  in  the  German  language,  by  German 
Rebekah  Degree  Lodge,  No.  31,  and  in  English  by  Oriental 
Rebekah,  No.  90.  As  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  had  adopted 
no  set  form  of  work,  they  believing  it  best  to  leave  the  matter 
to  the  ideas  of  each  lodge,  the  friends  of  the  work  were 
anxious  to  have  the  Grand  bodies  see  it,  they  hoping  that  the 
lodges  would  adopt  it. 

(c)  Sacramento  made  a  very  generous  offer:  70  acres  of 
fine  land,  $6,500  cash  with  no  strings  attached,  and  free  rail- 
road transportation  for  all  time  for  all  orphans  going  to  or 
from  the  home. 

(d)  Charity,  No.  6,  would  have  given  $2,000;  Stockton, 
No.  11,  $1,000;  Truth,  No.  55,  $500;  Progressive,  No.  134,  $150; 
Clements,  No.  351,  $50;  Lebanon  Rebekah,  No.  41,  $500,  and 
Rainbow,  No.  41,  $100. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

No  drunkard  can  enter  here — Authority  to  keep  out  intox- 
icated brothers — No  liquor  in  lodge  room — Can  saloon  keepers 
join? — Fox  said,"Let  us  blush" — What  is  an  habitual  drunkard? 
— Temperance  law  passed — German  lodges  protest — The  week 
of  jubilee — Death  and  burial  of  Grand  Secretary  Lyons — 
Election  of  Geo.  T.  Shaw — Proclamation  for  a  40,000  night — 
Terrible  flood  at  Johnstown — The  Galveston  disaster — 
Institution  of  Truth  Lodge — Our  Golden  anniversary — Third 
visit  of  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge. 


Over  the  gate  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  Home  this  sign 
might  he  placed,  ''No  Drunkard  Need  Apply,"  for 
in  1895  the  Trustees  adopted  the  rule  ''that  no 
wines  or  licjuors  shall  ever  he  kept  or  furnished, 
nor  shall  any  person  remain  who  is  in  the  habit  of 
becoming  intoxicated  elsewhere."  Hoav  many 
thousands  of  dollars  would  the  lodges  of  California 
liave  saved,  money  paid  to  sick  brothei*s  caused  by 
liquor,  had  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  in  early 
days  permitted  them  to  enforce  a  rule  such  as  that 
at  the  Home.  Then,  it  is  said  the  merchant  pur- 
chased one  barrel  of  flour  in  proportion  to  six 
barrels  of  whisky.  All  classes  were  heav}^  liquor 
drinkers,  the  Odd  Fellow  as  well  as  the  non-Odd 
Fellow,  and  the  action  of  little  Mountain  Rose 
Lodge,  No.  14,  stands  out  like  an  oasis  in  the 
desert;  for  said  Grand  Master  Watson,  1856,  "after 
the  Lodge  closed  we  sat  down  to  a  sumptuous 
banquet     *     *     *     and  as  nothing  stronger  than 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  207 

cold  water  was  allowed  to  be  drank*  *  *  i 
cannot  l)ut  refrain  from  alluding  to  it,  as  it  speaks 
>'olunies  in  favor  of  the  Order  in  Rough  and 
Keady.'^ 

No  official  action  was  taken  to  stamp  out  "this 
fearful  curse  of  the  land/'  as  Barnes  described 
it,  until  1857,  the  Grand  Lodge  that  year  instruct- 
ing Grand  Representatives  Warren  Heaton  and 
Samuel  H.  Parker  to  urge  the  passage  of  a  law 
giving  the  Lodges  some  discretionary  powers  to 
refuse  to  admit  those  members  of  the  Order  who 
were  in  an  intoxicated  condition  (a).  The  response 
that  came  back  from  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge 
was  very  elastic,  "That  the  Subordinate  Lodges 
possess  an  inherent  right  to  protect  themselves 
from  disorder,  the  want  of  decorum  and  violations 
of  the  ordinary  proprieties  of  life." 

Tlie  prohibition  represent,atives  in  the  Grand 
i^ody  evidently  were  few  in  number,  and  not  until 
1865  did  they  begin  that  reform  now  so  strict  in 
most  secret  societies,  excluding  any  kind  of  liquor 
from  all  places  over  which  the  Lodges  had  any 
jurisdiction.  This  decision  did  not  prohibit 
saloon-keepers  from  joining  the  Order,  and  as  they 
numbered  thousands,  many  of  them  applying  for 
admission,  the  question  was  asked,  as  we  must 
exclude  liquor  from  our  lodge  rooms,  must  we 
admit  as  brothers    the  persons  who    sell  the   vile 


208  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

concoction.  To  settle  the  question  Haswell,  who 
was  a  strong  temperance  advocate,  was  asked  the 
question,  ^'Is  the  keeping  of  a  li(iuor  saloon  Avithin 
the  meaning,  intent  and  spirit  of  our  laws,  a 
respectable  means  of  support."  No,  says  the  Grand 
Master : 

"For  Webster  says,  ^respectable,  is  reput- 
able, honorable,  worthy  of  respect,'  and 
the  saloon-keeper  is  none  of  these.  Fur- 
ther, the  genius  of  our  Order  forbids  the 
pursuing  of  any  calling  which  does  not 
directly  or  indirectly  contribute  to  the 
natural  wants  of  man,  or  in  some  manner 
confer  a  benefit  on  mankind." 

If  HaswelFs  decision  had  been  given  in  1905  it 
v,ould  have  stood,  but  the  Grand  Lodge  of  1869 
reversing  it,  said  through  their  committee,  Charles 
A.  Garter,  Davis  Louderback,  Washington  Bartlett, 
Lewis  Korn  and  Daniel  McLaren,  "that  the  busi- 
ness in  question  is  not  necessarily  disreputable, 
but  may  be,  and  frequently  is  made  so  by  the 
i'lanner  in  which  it  is  conducted." 

This  decision  was  an  approval  of  the  liquor 
traffic,  as  the  business  is  reputable  if  properly  con- 
ducted, said  the  Lodge,  and  this  called  from 
Charles  N.  Fox,  in  an  oration  on  April  26th,  a 
stinging  rebuke  when  he  said : 

"Let  us  blush  for  shame,  because  we  have 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 


209 


declared  drunkenness  is  the  vilest  and 
most  pernicious  of  all  vices,  and  yet  today 
so  many  men,  wearing  the  regalia  of  Odd 
Fellows,  yield  to  the  vice  of  drunkenness, 
and  still  are  permitted  to  be  hailed  by  the 
endearing  name  of  brother." 


CHARLES  L.  BLUETT,  P.  G.  P. 

Brother  Bluett,  of  Patker  Encampment,  No.  3,  is  probably 
the  youngest  Past  Grand  Patriarch  in  the  State.  At  the  age 
of  22  he  was  initiated  into  Stockton  Lodge,  No.  11,  November 
14th,  1902,  and  installed  as  Noble  Grand  in  July,  1905.  He  was 
at  this  time  an  officer  in  the  encampment,  and  passing  through 
the  chairs,  in  July,  1906,  he  took  his  seat  as  sitting  Past  Grand 
Patriarch. 


This  excerpt  is  from  an  oration  delivered  in 
1876,  and  yet  no  Grand  Lodge  action  was  taken, 
it  was  not  even  discussed  until  1888.  Previous  to 
this  time  the  Ijodges,  tiring  of  continually  paying 


210  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

out  sick  benefits  for  liquor  sickness,  began  an 
enforcement  of  law  against  the  payment  of  benefits 
to  habitual  drunkards,  and  in  that  year  Repre- 
sentative Biglow  of  No.  101  made  inquiry,  what  is 
an  habitual  drunkard?  and  the  committee  expressed 
the  Lodge  opinion  when  they  said :    ^'Drunkenness 

*  *  *  is  against  the  principle  of  Odd  Fellow- 
ship. The  term  shall  be  construed  to  mean  such 
drunkenness  as  disqualifies  a  brother,  a  greater 
portion  of  his  time  from  properly  attending  to 
business,  and  so  continuing  for  one  3^ear."  Judging 
from  the  laws  of  the  present,  this  definition  is 
rather  amusing. 

So  permeated  were  the  brethren  with  the  liquor 
habit  the/  disliked  to  even  discuss  the  question, 
and  I  do  not  again  find  the  subject  mentioned  until 
1894,  when  Grand  Master  Simpson  was  asked:  "If 
a  person  engaged  in  the  selling  of  liquor,  or  in  keep- 
ing a  gambling  house,  was  eligible  to  membership.'' 
''By  law  they  cannot  be  kept  out,"  he  replied 
(White's  digest  said  gamblers  were  not  eligible)  ; 
but  he  very  adroitly  continued,  "it  is  proper  to  take 
into  consideration  that  matter  Avhen  members  cast 
their  vote.  The  Grand  Lodge  learning  through 
Louderback  that  White  said  saloon-keepers  were 
eligible,  reversed  the  Grand  Master's  decision. 

In  the  following  year  the  advocates  of  temper- 
ance won    their  great   victory    for  the    Sovereign 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  211 

Grand  Lodge,  declared  that  on  and  after  Septem- 
ber 21st,  1895, 

"No  saloon-keeper,  bar-tender  or  pro- 
fessional <>anil)ler  shall  he  eligible  to 
membership  in  this  Order.'' 

The  enforcement  of  the  law  ^4iit  hard"  the  Ger- 
man brethren,  for  hundreds  of  tliem  were  engaged 
in  the  business  of  selling  and  manufacturing  the 
German  beverage  beer,  which  is  classed  as  an 
intoxicant.  In  California  many  Genuans  refused 
to  join  because  of  this  "boycott'-  of  their  friends, 
and  many  brothers  withdrew  from  the  Order 
because  we  "will  not  submit  to  such  unjust  and 
discourteous  attiicks  upon  our  personal  right  to 
follow  a  lawful  business.''  The  Gernmn  I^odges, 
Germania,  No.  116,  Concordia,  No.  122,  Herman, 
No.  145,  and  Vorwatz,  No.  313,  through  their 
Representative  Mysell,  declaring  that  "the  law  had 
created  such  a  general  feeling  of  disfavor,"  peti- 
tioned the  Grand  Lodge  to  instruct  her  repre- 
sentatives to  urge  a  revocation  of  the  law.  If  that 
be  not  possible,  then  urge  an  amendment  by  strik- 
ing out  the  words  "  bar-tender  and  insert  thereof 
wholesale  liquor  dealers,  distillery  owners  and 
operators  of  the  same."  The  Lodge  answered  in 
the  committee  report,  "The  Sovereign  Grand  Ix)dge 
has  already  settled  that  question." 

In  the  year  previous  to  the  grand  temperance 


212  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

victory,  Californians  concluded  that  they  would 
have  a  great  Midwinter  Fair  in  Golden  Gate  Park. 
The  Odd  FelloAvs  believed  it  an  auspicious  season 
to  celebrate  our  74  anniversary  with  an  unusual 
display  and  make  the  week  of  April  23d  to  the 
28th  a  time  of  jubilee.  Thompson,  the  Grand  Mas- 
ter, heartily  approving  of  it,  said : 

^'It  is  hoped  that  this  celebration  will  call 
together  the  largest  body  of  California  Odd 
Fellows  ever  assembled,  and  be  an  honor, 
as  well  as  a  lasting  benefit  to  the  Order." 

The  entire  week  was  an  Odd  Fellow  jubilee  and 
consisted  of  prize  contests  for  the  best  Subordinate, 
Encampment  and  Rebekah  Degree  work,  and 
(Canton  drills.  April  26th  was  the  great  day. 
Excursion  trains  were  run  to  San  Francisco,  and 
a  large  representation  was  present  from  the  various 
interior  Lodges.  The  procession,  consisting  of  the 
Patriarch  Militant,  tlie  Encampments,  Subordinate 
Lodges  and  Rebekahs,  with  beautiful  floats,  was 
one  of  the  finest  and  largest  ever  seen  upon  this 
coast.  Marching  to  Golden  Gate  Park  the  Odd 
Fellows  were  there  addressed  by  Governor  Mark- 
ham  and  then  dispersing,  enjoyed  the  sights  of  the 
Fair.  Later,  May,  the  Grand  Lodge,  on  motion  of 
J.  L.  Robinette,  accepted  the  invitation  of  the 
Board  of  Directors  and  became  their  guest  at  the 
Fair. 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  21^ 

Six  months  previous,  November,  1893,  the  Grand 
Lodge  buried  with  full  funeral  honors  W.  B.  Lyons, 
the  Grand  Secretary  since  1874,  the  head  and  front 
of  the  Order.  He  died  suddenly  at  his  home  in 
Alameda  on  November  4:th,  1893,  of  apoplexy,  and 
November  8th,  from  the  Assembly  hall  of  the  Odd 
Fellows'  building  he  was  buried.  An  eloquent 
eulogy  was  pronounced  by  William  H.  Barnes,  and 
the  funeral  cortege  was  the  largest  fraternal  pro- 
cession ever  seen  in  San  Francisco.  The  body  was 
taken  to  the  Oakland  mole  and  brothers  and  friends 
accompanied  "the  dead"  to  Auburn. 

"No  further  seek  his  merits  to  disclose, 

Or  draw  his  frailties  from  their  dread  abode. 

There  they  alike  in  trembling  hope  repose. 
The  bosom  of  his  Father  and  his  God." 

The  place  made  vacant  by  the  death  of  the 
Grand  Secretary  was  filled  by  the  appointment  of 
Brother  George  T.  Shaw,  an  expert  bookkeeper,  he 
having  previously  been  called  by  the  Trustees  to 
expert  the  Grand  Secretary's  books.  When  the 
Grand  Ix)dge  assembled  in  May,  1894,  they 
appointed  a  committee  to  put  in  order  the  grave  of 
W.  B.  Lyons  at  a  cost  not  to  exceed  |300.00,  and 
immediately  after  the  vote,  nominations  were 
made  for  Grand  Secretar3\  Nine  brothers  were 
desirous  of  the  office— W.  B.  Tilford,  S.  B.  Smith, 
George  T.  Shaw,  R.  B.  Roll,  Robert  Burns,  H.  D. 


^14  CALIFORNIA    Ot>t)    li^LLOWSHII*. 

Richardson,  W.  S.  Potter,  J.  L.  Bates  and  W.  F. 
Xorcross.  The  three  favorites  were  S.  B.  Smith 
of  Sacramento,  116  votes;  H.  D.  Richardson  of 
Vallejo,  173 ;  and  George  T.  Shaw  of  San  Francisco, 
295.  On  the  second  ballot  Smith  received  124 
votes,  Richardson  265  and  Shaw  418. 

Lyons  was  the  first  boomer  for  an  increased 
membership,  and  if  you  look  at  his  report  for  1888, 
you  will  find,  for  the  first  time,  a  list  by  counties, 
of  all  voters  and  Odd  Fellows  in  California,  pre- 
ceded by  this  command: 

"Brothers,  go  to  Avork  and  bring  your 
counties  up  to  the  average.  You  can  do 
this  *  *  *by  preaching  the  gospel  of 
Odd  Fellowship  to  all  your  neighbors, 
showing  them  that  good  faith  and  virtue 
are  the  peculiar  characteristics  of  all  Odd 
Fellows." 

When  the  Grand  Lodge's  first  half  century.  May, 
1903,  passed  into  the  records  of  time,  there  was 
installed  into  the  Grand  Warden's  chair  W.  W. 
Phelps  of  No.  282,  Riverside.  All  along  through 
this  history  since  1894  we  have  seen  the  pushing, 
energetic  character  of  the  representative  from 
orange  land,  and  when  in  1904  he  was  installed  as 
Grand  Master,  he  brought  to  that  office  the  same 
life  and  energy  he  had  displayed  in  the  Lodge. 
Every  Grand  Master  has  some  keynote  of  action, 
and  his  keynote  was  numbers.     So  in  his  Lodge 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  215 

visitations  he  uroxMi  the  brothers  to  go  into  the  high- 
ways and  byways  and  bring  in  all  of  the  worthy 
young  men.  Brushing  aside  all  of  the  conservative 
ideas  of  the  fathers,  he  issued  a  proclamation  to 


JOHN  G^ATTAN,  P.  G. 
Brother  John  was  initiated  into  Olive  Leaf  Lodge,  Penn- 
sylvania,, in  1847.  He  came  to  California  with  his  brother 
Charles  and  joining  Charity  ,  No.  6,  February  21,  1852,  was  in 
July,  1855,  installed  by  Past  Grand  Master  Parker  as  its 
fifth   Noble   Grand. 


the  lodges,  to  make  their  regular  meeting  night 
nearest  to  March  26th  a  great  40,000-night,  that 
night  Uy  so  increase  tlunr  membership,  either  by 
initiations,  reinstatement  of  members  or  by  deposit 
of  card,  as  to  make  the  membership  equal  or  exceed 
40,000.  The  Lodges  went  to  work  with  a  will,  and 
the  result  has  exceeded  the    expectations  of    the 


^16  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHllt*. 

most  sanguine,  as  the  full  returns  Avill  show  an 
increase  for  the  year  July  to  July,  exceeding  3,300, 
Avith  a  total  membership  over  40,000.  '^Grand 
Master  Phelps'  term  will  break  the  record  and 
score  the  largest  gain  of  any  year  in  the  history  of 
California  Odd  Fellowship,"  New  Age,  April,  1906. 
Sure  the  largest  gain  previously  was  in  1869,  1,765, 
that  was  the  year  the  Central  Pacific  was 
completed. 

We  have  not  yet  forgotten  the  terrible  news  that 
came  by  telegraph  May  31st,  1889,  of  the  terrible 
loss  of  life  and  property  at  Johnstown,  Pennsyl- 
vania, by  the  sudden  breaking  of  the  immense  dam 
that  held  back  Conamugh  lake.  Suddenly  the  dam 
^gave  way  and  an  immense  body  of  water,  three 
miles  long  and  a  mile  wide,  went  rushing  eighteen 
miles  down  the  valley,  carrying  everything  before 
its  solid  twenty-foot  wall.  Over  five  thousand  were 
drowned  and  hundreds  of  Odd  Fellows  and  their 
families  left  destitute.  The  appeal  of  Grand  Mas- 
ter Jenkins  to  the  California  Odd  Fellows  was  not 
in  vain. 

^'Let  us  show  to  the  world  that  the  hand  of 
an  Odd  Fellow  is  ahvays  open  to  a 
brother," 

He  said,-  and  generously  the  Lodges  responded. 
Two  hundred  and  thirty  Lodges  sent  »|4,413  to  the 
Grand  Secretary,    and    telegraphing  to    John    B. 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP  217 

Nicholson  |2000,  of  the  amount  he  inquired,  "Is 
any  more  needed?"    The  response  came  back: 
"Thanks  for  the  generous  contribution.    If 
any  more  is  needed  will  advise  you." 

No  further  call  being  made,  the  Secretary 
returned  the  surplus  |2,240  to  the  contributing 
Lodges. 

Another  disaster  more  terrible  in  effect  was  the 
great  tidal  wave  September  8tli,  1900,  at  Galveston, 
Texas.  Tens  of  thousands  of  lives  were  lost 
and  millions  of  dollars'  worth  of  property 
destroyed,  but  the  great  sorrow  of  the  nation  at 
that  period,  the  assassination  and  death  of  Presi- 
dent McKinley  overshadowed  this  sectional  sorrow. 
Nevertheless  the  great  heivrt  of  humanity  went  out 
to  them,  and  so  bounteous  was  the  money,  pro- 
visions and  clothing  sent  to  Galveston,  |1,741  of 
the  $3,285  sent  by  the  California  Odd  Fellows  to 
their  Texas  brothers  was  returned  to  tliem. 

In  this  disaster  perished  Past  Grand  Master  E. 
J.  Smith  and  his  family,  he  of  whom  it  Avas  said, 
"No  light  shines  brighter  in  tlie  work  of  Odd 
Fellowship  than  that  of  Past  Grand  blaster  Smith." 

It  was  during  his  term  of  office  that  Truth 
Lodge,  No.  55,  was  instituted  by  J.  P.  Spooner,  C. 
C.  Keniston  and  others.  Brother  Spooner  is  not 
only  a  cliarter  member  of  No.  55,  but  he  is  also  a 
charier  member  of  Pacific,  No.  155,  and  Rainbow 


218  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

Eebekah,  No.  97,  he  being  initiated  in  Yerba  Buena, 
No.  15,  when  quite  a  young  man.  His  life  work, 
however,  has  been  in  No.  55,  which  was  instituted 
December  18th,  1884,  with  a  charter  list  of 
twenty-five,  not  one  taken  from  the  Stockton  sister 
Lodges,  119  being  initiated  the  same  night,  the 
largest  initiation  but  one  ever  in  the  United  States. 
'jMie  brothers  of  Charity  and  Stockton  Lodges 
assisted  in  the  initiatory  work,  and  at  its  con- 
clusion, the  baby  Lodge,  already  of  immense  pro- 
portions, enjoyed  a  banquet  prepared  by  their 
brother  pioneers. 

The  celebration  of  great  events  usually  takes 
place  in  San  Francisco,  that  being  the  social  center 
of  the  coast,  and  in  October,  1899,  the  Odd  Fellows 
there  assembled  by  the  thousands  to  celebrate  the 
golden  Anniversary  of  California  Lodge,  No.  1. 
(jreat  preparations  had  been  made  for  a  three- 
days'  jubilee,  commencing  October  18th,  and  in  all 
the  history  of  fraternal  organizations  this  was  the 
best.  On  the  evening  of  the  first  day,  in  the 
Mechanics  Pavilion  there  was  a  musical  program 
of  instrumental  solo  and  chorus  singing,  a  poem  by 
Robert  H.  Taylor,  the  first  Noble  Grand  of  the 
Lodge,  and  addresses  by  Grand  Master  Bonynge, 
M^  M.  Estee  and  Karl  C.  Brueck,  Past  Grand  Mas- 
ter. The  pavilion  was  crowded,  the  admittance 
being  by  badge,  made  of  metal  and  costing  50 
cents. 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  219 

The  second  was  the  big  da}^,  the  day  of  the 
parade.  Over  10,000  were  in  line,  Subordinates 
and  Encampments,  children  from  the  Orphans' 
Home  and  Odd  Fellows'  Home  from  Thermalito, 
Cantons  and  Rebekahs.  In  the  evening  there  was 
Canton  exhibition  and  prize  drilling  for  cash 
prizes. 

Friday  was  the  day  of  excursions  to  El  Campo, 
Mt.  Tamalpias  and  other  points,  the  festival  ending 
w  ith  a  monster  pavilion  ball. 

The  splendid  celebration  of  1899  seems  to  have 
created  an  enthusiasm  for  more'  events  of  a  similar 
character,  and  in  1900  Grand  llepresentatives  Karl 
C.  Brueck  and  W.  ^^^  .^^^atson  were  instructed  to 
invite  the  Sovereign  Grand  Ix>dge  to  California 
the  following  year.'  They  declined  the  invitation, 
as  their  treasury  was  nearly  empty.  Much  to  the 
surprise  of  the  Californians,  "without  an  invita- 
tion," they  passed  a  resolution  to  assemble  in  San 
Francisco,  September  19th,  1904.  Our  Repre- 
sentatives, William  NichoUs  and  W.  W.  Watson, 
protested  against  their  coming,  they  giving  as  their 
reason  that  the  National  Con(*lave  of  Knight 
Templars  was  there  to  assemble  in  Septeml)er, 
1904,  and  the  Lodges  and  citizens  woifld  be  heavily 
taxed,  in  providing  entertainment  for  two  grand 
iKxlies.  That  was  just  the  point,  and  the  Supreme 
Body,  in  their  resolution  voting  for  San  Francisco, 
said: 


220  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

"That  it  does  not  expect  any  entertainment 
*  *  *  and  it  is  the  request  *  *  * 
that  the  brothers  dispense  *  *  * 
with  all  matters  that  will  necessitate  the 
expenditure  of  any  money  for  receptions 
or  entertainments.  In  the  future  we  do  not 
desire  the  elaborate  entertainments  here- 
tofore so  generously  exhibited  to  this 
Order/' 

There  could  not  be  spoken  a  plainer  statement  of 
the  Grand  Lodge's  desire,  but  nevertheless,  as  the 
Californians  were  known  abroad  for  their  hospi- 
tality, the  Knights  had  spared  no  expense  to 
entertain  their  Sir  Knights,  in  a  manner  worthy  of 
the  days  of  chivalry,  the  Odd  Fellows  believed  they 
could  do  no  less  than  receive  their  Sovereign  Three 
Linked  brethren  in  a  courtly  reception,  more 
especially  since  they  visit  us  only  thrice  in  a  half 
century,  they  the  representatives  of  the  wealth,  in- 
telligence, position  and  sound  morality  from  every 
State. 

The  Executive  Committee,  representing  all  the 
Lodges,  Encampments  and  Rebekahs  of  the  State, 
resolved  in  one  of  their  meetings  that  |20,000 
should  cover  all  the  expense,  but  the  magnificent 
electrical  display  ctiused  them  at  the  last  moment 
to  change  their  opinion.  To  continue  this  display 
over  Odd  Fellow  week  and  change  the  emblems 
cost  several  thousand  dollars  extra.     The  citizens 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  221 

were  called  upon,  and  so  liberally  did  they  contri- 
bute to  the  electrical  fund,  the  Odd  Fellows  had 
money  to  burn,  and  60  per  cent  of  the  amount  was 
returned  to  the  individual  subscribers. 

The  committee  resolved  at  first  that  contribu- 
tions should  be  solicited  within  the  Order  only, 
and  further,  to  obtain  money  they  sold  a  silver 
medallion  badge  at  50  cents  each,  this  admitting 
wearer  to  all  entertainments,  and  a  history  of 
"Fifty  Years  of  California  Odd  Fellowship"  for 
25  cents.  It  was  a  paper  covered  book  over  300 
pages,  filled  with  advertisements,  biographical  and 
historical  sketches  and  netted  the  committee 
several  thousand  dollars. 

"Our  guests,"  arriving  September  17th,  sight- 
seeing on  their  journey,  were  met  at  the  Ferry  by 
hundreds  of  brethren  and  escorted  to  their  head- 
quarters, the  Palace  hotel,  by  the  Oakland  and  San 
Francisco  Patriarch  Militant. 

They  were  accorded  a  public  Avelcome  September 
19th  in  the  Assembly  hall  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  building 
by  J.  W.  Linscott,  Grand  Master,  Dora  Gardner, 
Grand  President,  Mayor  Schmitz  and  William  H. 
Barnes,  Grand  Scribe,  the  Patriarch  remarking 
that  the  Grand  Sire,  who  stood  by  his  side, 
was  a  little  boy  when  he  (Barnes)  left  Georgia. 
The  Grand  Sire,  William  Goodwin,  responded  to 
all  the  speeches  of  welcome.    The  Lodge  then  form- 


222  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

ing  in  line,  under  the  escort  of  the  Patriarch  Mili- 
tant, Washington  No.  1,  of  Washington,  D.  C,  lead- 
ing to  the  music  of  Brother  Todd's  band,  marched 
to  Native  Sons'  hall,  where  the  SoA^ereign  Grand 
Lodge  held  their  sessions. 

During  the  week  there  were  various  entertain- 
ments, concerts,  dancing,  excursions,  dre^s  parades 
and  prize  drills.  But  the  great  day  was 
the  parade  day,  Friday,  September  23d, 
the  S.  G.  L.  refusing  to  take  any  part 
until  they  had  finished  their  business.  As  the 
committee  had  intended,  this  parade  was  the 
largest  and  most  beautiful  of  any  ever  seen  upon 
the  Pacific  Coast.  It  was  a  parade  grand  and  in- 
spiring, and  in  numbers,  variety  and  beauty  far 
exceeded  the  Knights  Templar  parade  of  the  pre- 
vious week,  although  they  had  in  line  the  Bostonian 
Knights,  each  wearing  a  uniform  representing 
15,000  or  more.  To  make  this  procession  a  grand 
success,  the  committee  offered  cash  prizes  of  |T5^ 
and  more  for  the  largest  city  lodge  in  line,  the  lodge 
making  the  best  display,  the  largest  interior  lodge, 
the  handsomest  float,  and  the  finest  Rebekah  lodge. 
The  Rebekahs  made  a  beautiful  appearance,  they 
having  some  ten  or  twelve  of  the  fifteen  magnificent 
floats,  one,  the  orphan  children  from  their  Home. 

Many  wondered  at  the  grandeur  and  beauty  of 
the  electrical  display,  and  it  was  pronounced  the 


CAUFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  223 

finest  ever  seen  outside  of  New  York.  Each  even- 
ing, Market  street,  from  the  ferry  up  some  two 
miles  distiint,  was  a  ll(K>d  of  dazzling  light.  Many 
of  the  prominent  buildings  were  beautifully  dec- 
orated, and  the  overhanging  bell,  near  the  Ex- 
aminer, Call  and  Chronicle  buildings  Avas  a  mag- 
nificent, gorgeous  display  of  electrical  art 


(a)  "We  have  seen,"  said  an  ancient  Odd  Fellow,  "men 
reeling  into  and  out  of  the  lodge  room,  so  under  the  influence 
of  liquor  as  to  be  the  objects  of  loathing  and  pity."  The 
author,  himself,  as  late  as  1885,  saw  a  brother,  stupefied  with 
liquor,  fall  asleep  in  the  lodge  room  and  snore  so  loudly  they 
were  obliged  to  awaken  him. 

(b)  Think  of  it!  A  saloon  not  necessarily  disreputable? 
Why  that  committee  report  would  not  have  stood  a  minute  in 
the  Iowa  Grand  Lodge,  for  that  body  in  1870  passed  a  law  that 
no  saloon  keeper  or  liquor  dealer  could  become  a  member  of 
the  Order.  Nor  in  the  Masonic  Grand  Lodge,  Michigan,  for 
they  declared  in  1868  that  the  manufacture  and  sale  of  intoxi- 
cating liquors,  for  use  or  as  a  beverage,  is  a  Masonic  offense, 
punishable  by  suspension  or  expulsion. 

Barnes  at  this  time  declared  Masonry  did  not  go  far  enough 
— it  should  have  expelled  the  liquor  drinker,  also.  "It  be- 
hooves our  Order  to  so  clearly  define  its  position  that  none 
may  make  a  mistake  as  to  what  are  its  teachings  or  as  to 
where  it  stands  on  this  important  question.  *  *  *  Impera- 
tive are  our  laws  that  Odd  Fellowship  and  intemperance  are 
antagonistic,  and  that  no  drunkard  can  be  an  Odd  Fellow,  in 
spirit  and  in  truth." 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

GRAND  MASTERS  OF  CALIFORNIA 

Grand  Masters  and  interesting  facts  regarding 

tliem,  the  lodge  to  which  they  belonged,  and  the 

time  and  age  when  installed  and  the  place,  date, 

place  of  death  and  final  rest: 

Parker,  Samuel  H.,  lawyer,  No.  3,  1853 ;  34 ;  March 
14,  1866,  San  Francisco;  San  Francisco  I.  O. 
O.  F.  cemetery,  San  Francisco. 

Morse,  John  F.,  physician.  No.  2,  1854;  39;  Decem- 
ber 30,  1874,  San  Francisco ;  I.  O.  O.  F.  ceme- 
tery, San  Francisco. 

Colt,  Edwin  W.,  agent.  No.  6,  1855;  30;  June  19, 
1869,  Stockton  Rural  cemetery. 

Hueston,  H.  M.,  merchant.  No.  5,  1856;  29;  1892, 
Nice,  France. 

Watson,  Wm.  H.,  merchant.  No.  4,  1857;  46;  Sep- 
tember 28,  1898,  San  Francisco. 

Van  Bokkelen,  John  L.,  No.  17,  1858;  June  29, 
1873,  Virginia  City,  Nev. 

Alexander,  L.  L.,  superintendent.  No.  10,  1859;  29; 
May  27,  1904,  Fair  Play,  Placerville. 

Allen,  Wm.,  No.  57,  1860;  October  8,  1866,  Phila- 
delphia. 

Kibbe,  Thomas  R.,  physician.  No.  24,  1861. 

Bohen,  J.  A.  J.,  No.  15, 1862;  34;  May  25, 1867,  San 
Francisco;  I.  O.  O.  F.  cemetery. 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  225 

Kendall,  David,  No.  3,  1863;  43;  October  25,  1869, 
Sacramento. 

McClelland,  John  M.,  merchant.  No.  3,  1864;  48; 
September  21,  1884,  San  Francisco;  I.  O.  O.  F. 
cemetery. 

Burton,  Charles  O.,  bookseller,  No.  6,  1865;  34. 

Randolph,  I.  N.,  agent.  No.  31,  1866;  40;  March  25, 
1883,  Sutter  Creek;  Sutter  Creek  cemetery. 

Fox,  Charles  N.,  lawyer.  No.  109,  1867;  38;  May  1, 
1904,  Oakland;  Mountain  View  cemetery. 

Haswell,  Charles  H.,  physician,  No.  100,  1868 ;  Sep- 
tember 21,  1893,  Oakland;  Sacramento  cem- 
etery. 

Harmon,  John  B.,  laAvyer,  No.  123;  45;  February 
27,  1899,  Oakland;  Mountain  View  cemetery. 

Dannals,  Charles  W.,  lawyer.  No.  67,  1870;  45; 
August  31,  1893,  San  Juan. 

Hill,  John  B.,  rector.  No.  87,  1871;  55;  October  27, 
1896,  Berkeley;  San  Mateo  cemetery. 

Bradford,  A.  C,  lawyer.  No.  39, 1872;  47;  February 
19,  1890,  Guerneyville;  Rural  cemetery,  Stock- 
ton. 

Gurnett,  Wm.  J.,  agent.  No.  118,  1873. 

Miller,  Jacob  F.,  No.  17,  1874;  June  5,  1884,  San 
Francisco. 

Welty,  D.  W.,  No.  2,  1875;  53;  March  23,  1891, 
Portland;  Sacramento  cemetery. 

Tilden,  H.  J.,  lawyer,  No.  124,  1876. 


226  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

Dann,  Frederick  P.,  lawyer,  ^o.  15,  1877 ;  41 ;  Sep- 
tember 27,  1884,  San  Francisco. 

Randall,  Charles  H.,  editor  and  lawyer,  No.  10, 
1878;  54;  October  31,  1891,  San  Francisco. 

Case,  Geo.  H.,  dentist,  No.  71,  1879;  31;  April  7, 
1889,  San  Francisco. 

Pearson,  Ezra,  carpenter.  No.  87,  1880 ;  46. 

Louderback,  David,  lawyer.  No.  15,  1881 ;  39. 

Freer,  Leon  D.,  judge.  No.  47,  1882;  September  19, 
1889;  San  Francisco  cemetery. 

^[orrow,  Wm.  W.,  judge.  No.  123,  1883;  39. 

Smith,  E.  P.,  No.  253,  1884;  September  8,  1901; 
drowned  in  Galveston,  Texas. 

Cook,  Nathaniel,  No.  52,  1885;  December  3,  1898, 
Santa  Clara. 

McEachran,  Charles  T.,  No.  167,  1886. 

Bruner,  EdAvin,  lawyer.  No.  2,  1887 ;  31. 

Lloyd,  Reuben  H.,  lawyer.  No.  15;  53;  1888. 

Jenkins,  C.  N.,  No.  45,  1889. 

Glasson,  John,  No.  12,  1890. 

Wilson,  J.  N.  E.,  lawyer.  No.  171,  1891;  1901. 

Stockwell,  Geo.  W.,  No.  325,  1892. 

Thompson,  James  L.,  editor.  No.  221,  1893 ;  49. 

Simpson,  J.  H.,  lawyer.  No.  3,  1884;  38. 

Gosbey,  P.  F.,  lawyer.  No.  142,  1895. 

Warboys,  John  W.,  lawyer.  No.  53,  1896. 

Drew,  A.  M.,  lawyer.  No.  186,  1897. 

Brueck,  Karl  C,  bookkeeper.  No.  11,  1898;  31. 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  227 

Bonynge,  W.  A.,  agent,  No.  323,  1899. 
Watson,  W.  W.,  lawyer.  No.  222,  1900;  38. 
Nicholls,  Wm.,  banker.  No.  124,  1901;  51. 
Gill,  Milton  G.,  lawyer,  No.  76,  1902. 
Baker,  C,  W.,  No.  2,  1903. 
Linscott,  J.  W.,  superintendent.  No.  90,  1904. 
IMielps,  W.  W.,  County  Clerk,  No.  — ,  1905. 
Bell,  Theodore  A.,  lawyer.  No.  18,  1906;  33. 

The  idol  of  the  Germanic  Odd  Fellowship  is  John  Frederick 
Morse,  and  California  Odd  Fellowship  paid  their  highest  honor 
when  they  erected  a  beautiful  costly  life-sized  statute  of  him 
who  sleeps  beneath.  They  did  well,  for  he  it  was  who  failed 
not — faltered  not  in  well  doing — never.  His  character  shines 
as  one  of  the  brightest  among  the  pioneers,  and  every  Odd 
Fellow  points  with  exultant  pride  to  his  work  for  humanity. 

One  of  the  Green  Mountain  boys,  Vermont,  he  was  born 
December  27,  1815,  and  at  the  age  of  27  he  was  practicing 
medicine.  Two  years  later,  1844,  he  was  initiated  into  Atlantic 
Lodge,  No.  50,  Brooklyn,  New  York,  and  passing  through  the 
chairs  he  next  sailed  for  California  on  the  ship  Humboldt,  and 
arriving  August,  1849,  went  to  Sacramento.  There  Morse 
found  plenty  of  misery  and  distress,  and  it  was  marvelous  the 
amount  of  time,  skill  and  money  he  gave  in  relieving  the  sick 
and  the  needy.  A  charter  member  of  Sacramento,  No.  2,  he 
represented  that  lodge  in  the  first  Grand  Lodge,  and  his  sub- 
sequent lodge  history  is  already  recorded. 

Morse  was  not  only  a  physician,  but  a  writer,  he  writing  the 
history  of  the  Sacramento  valley,  and  previously  editing  the 
Sacramento  Union.  "He  was,"  says  Dwinelle,  "ardent  in 
everything  he  undertook;  fierce  in  attack  and  resolute  in 
defense." 

In  the  galaxy  of  portraits  of  Grand  Masters  that  hang  in  the 
Grand  Secretary's  oflSce,  silent  monuments  of  a  half  century, 
one  Is  not  there,  Edwin  W.  Colt.  Out  in  Rural  cemetery, 
Stockton,  In  a  neglected  ^rave  he  lies,  and  upon  an  old  moss- 


228  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

covered  tombstone  I  read  these  lines.  "Born  in  Greensboro, 
Georgia,  May  5th,  1825;   died  June  19th,  1869." 

One  of  the  most  prominent  firms  of  San  Francisco  was  the 
clothing  firm  of  Hueston  &  Hastings.  H.  M.  Hueston,  the 
senior  of  this  firm,  occupies  a  peculiar  position  in  Grand  Lodge 
history,  the  only  brother  twice  presiding  as  Grand  Master, 
E.  W.  Colt,  in  the  session  of  1855,  failing  to  appear,  although 
in  sound  health  and  strength.  Hueston  was  a  Philadelphia 
Past  Grand  before  coming  to  California,  and  on  arrival  he 
joined  San  Francisco,  No.  3;  afterwards  Sacramento,  No.  2, 
and  finally  Yerba  Buena,  No,  15.  He  made  a  fortune  in  his 
business,  and  in  1882  he  went  to  Nice,  France,  with  his  family, 
to  reside. 

Another  curious  incident  was  the  oflicial  uplifting  of 
Wm.  W.  Watson,  he  being  elected  Grand  Master  from  the  floor, 
Warren  Heaton,  the  Deputy  Grand  Master,  declining  to  serve. 
He  was  born  in  New  Jersey  in  1810,  became  an  Odd  Fellow  in 
New  Orleans  in  1846,  came  to  California  in  August,  1850,  and 
dying  at  the  age  of  88  years,  his  was  the  longest  life  of  all  of 
the  pioneer  Grand  Masters. 

The  death  of  John  L.  Van  Bokkelen,  in  Virginia  City,  Nev., 
killed  by  an  explosion  of  giant  powder,  is  the  one  tragic  death 
of  the  list.  Uniting  with  No.  3  by  card,  in  1854,  he  was  elected 
Deputy  Grand  Master  from  the  floor  in  1857.  A  very  popular 
brother,  he  was  prominent  in  the  San  Francisco  fire  depart- 
ment as  foreman  of  Sansome  Hook  and  Ladder  Company  for 
the  first  three  years  of  its  existence,  and  later  a  police  officer 
of  the  Vigilance  Committee  of  1856.  With  the  rush  of  the 
silver  seekers  he  went  to  Vinginia  City,  and  was  installed  as 
a  Grand  Master  of  Odd  Fellows  in  that  jurisdiction. 

The  Grand  Lodge  has  published  four  digests,  the  pioneer 
in  that  work  being  L.  L.  Alexander,  he  compiling  the  first 
digest,  a  book  of  about  200  pages,  in  1865,  the  Lodge  paying 
him  for  his  six  months'  work  $600.  Brother  Alexander,  as  the 
Grand  Lodge  attendant,  was  the  record  breaker,  he  being 
absent  but  three  sessions  from  1855  to  1903.  Born  in  New 
Hampshire,  1828,  he  was  initiated  into  the  Order  at  the  age  of 
21,  arriving  in  California  in  1850,  and  became  a  charter  mem- 
ber of  Sonora,  No.  10.     He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  229 

Veteran  Association,  and  in  1883  he  began  his  fight  for  the 
eighteen-year  law,  but  met  with  no  success  in  the  S.  G.  L., 
although  the  California  Lodge  always  favored  it. 

"Wm.  Allen  was  an  old  white-haired  man  when  I  knew  him 
in  1861,"  said  Moses  Stinchfield.  He  was  a  pioneer  and  a  char- 
ter member  of  Shasta  lodge,  and,  elected  with  Columbus 
Bartlett  as  a  representative  to  the  Body  Supreme,  he  died  in 
Philadelphia  soon  after  his  arrival  East,  of  cholera,  he  having 
contracted  the  disease  while  crossing  the  Isthmus  of  Panama. 

Bohen,  a  warm  friend  of  Past  Grand  Master  Parker,  dying 
a  few  months  later,  was  buried  with  Parker  upon  the  crest  of 
the  hill,  A  member  of  Yerba  Buena,  No.  15,  a  short  time 
before  his  death,  he  sent  for  the  brothers  then  in  session,  to 
come  and  visit  him.  Many  attended,  among  them  J.  P. 
Spooner,  now  of  Truth,  No.  55,  and  standing  around  his  dying 
couch  he  admonished  the  brethren  to  live  sober  lives  and  be 
true  to  Odd  Fellowship. 

Daniel  McLaren,  the  big-hearted  Scotch  Odd  Fellow,  expect- 
ing to  leave  the  State,  resigned  as  Deputy  Grand  Master,  and 
David  Kendall  became  Grand  Master.  He  is  said  to  have  been 
a  brother  of  very  high  intelligence,  and  the  smooth  work  of 
the  organization  of  the  first  Grand  Lodge  is  due  to  him.  His 
zeal  for  Odd  Fellowship  was  greater  than  his  physical  strength, 
and  over  exerting  himself  in  his  attention  to  the  Sovereign 
Grand  Lodge  he  died  a  month  later,  October,  1869. 

The  only  living  pioneer  Grand  Master  is  C.  O.  Burton,  and 
he  it  was  who  made  the  first  Grand  Master's  written  report. 
A»  long  as  his  strength  would  permit,  he  was  a  deeply  inter- 
ested church  and  Sunday  school  worker  and  a  political  leader. 
He  is  now,  and  has  been  for  many  years,  a  Grand  Trustee. 

In  the  lodge  room  of  Bay  View,  No,  109,  there  hangs  a 
picture  of  their  first  Noble  Grand,  Charles  Nelson  Fox.  They 
prize  highly  that  portrait,  for  it  represents  him  who  "when  we 
were  not  able  to  provide  ourselves  with  a  comfortable  lodge 
room,  he  secured  one  for  us  at  his  own  expense,"  said  Brother 
Tegus,  in  1868,  as  he  presented  that  picture.  Fox,  too,  was  a 
joker,  and  when  the  lodge  were  starting  their  library  he 
entered  the  lodge  room  one  evening  pushing  a  wheelbarrow 
load  of  valuable  books,  and  they  wondered  how  he  got  up 
stairs. 


230  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

Fox  then  was  in  middle  life,  he  living  with  wife  and 
children  in  "a  vine-covered  cottage"  in  Redwood  City.  He 
called  it  "The  Odd  Fellows'  Home  for  Grand  Masters,"  and  he 
declared  on  their  visits  to  No.  109  "they  must  go  there  to  keep 
up  the  reputation  of  the  hotel." 

But  there  was  years  later  another  home  in  which  he  took 
great  interest  and  labored  hard,  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  Home;  and 
when  a  building  was  ready  for  the  aged  brothers  and  sisters, 
Grand  Master  Gosbey  declared:  "To  Past  Grand  Master  Fox 
is  due  our  highest  commendation  and  praise  for  the  work  he 
has  done  for  the  Home,  and  the  time  and  sacrifices  he  has 
made." 

Fox  was  a  charter  member  of  Bay  View,  and  upon  their 
tenth  anniversary,  October  4th,  1872,  they  presented  him 
with  an  elegant  gold  Howard  movement  watch.  He  was  then 
a  Past  Grand  Master,  and  at  the  close  of  his  term  he  declared: 
"He  who  has  received  the  honors  of  our  Order  has  no  right  to 
rest  upon  those  honors,  and  I  shall  therefore  still  be  found  an 
active  worker  in  the  ranks  of  Odd  Fellowship."  The 
record  shows  that  he  kept  his  word,  and  in  1903  we  find  in  the 
Journal,  Charles  N.  Fox,  of  Porter,  No.  272,  one  of  the  Com- 
mittee on  State  of  the  Order. 

In  1880  he  was  an  Assemblyman  from  Alameda  county,  and 
in  1889  he  was  appointed  by  Governor  Waterman  as  Associate 
Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court. 

He  was  a  large,  strong  well  proportioned  brother,  our 
Grand  Master  of  1871,  John  B.  Hill,  the  highly  honored  Episco- 
pal clergyman,  and  it  was  a  sad,  pathetic  scene  when  this 
venerable  brother  some  twenty-three  years  later,  then  almost 
entirely  blind,  was  led  up  the  broad  aisle  of  the  assembly  hall 
to  a  seat  on  the  platform.  As  he  passed  along  "the  great 
throng  of  brothers  arose  to  their  feet,  and  with  reverence  and 
in  solemn  silence  gave  welcome  and  homage  to  this  noble 
apostle  of  Odd  Fellowship."  The  Past  Grand  Master  always 
had  a  warm  place  in  his  heart  for  Odd  Fellowship,  and  he 
maintained  his  interest  and  his  love  for  it  to  the  very  last 
moment  of  his  life. 

"Why,  I  could  sit  up  all  night  to  hear  him  talk,"  said  "Old 
Kentuck,"  of  Shasta.    He  referred  to  Frederick  P.  Dann,  Grand 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  231 

Master,  whose  life  so  suddenly  went  out  in  1884.  Dann  was  a 
very  active  Odd  Fellow.  He  joined  Yerba  Buena,  No.  15,  by 
card  from  Crusade,  No.  93,  1861,  and  for  over  nine  years  he 
was  an  officer  in  the  lodge.  Later  he  took  up  the  cause  and 
the  defense  of  the  Daughters  of  Rebekah,  and  he  had  quite  a 
warm  newspaper  discussion  with  Fox  regarding  their  advance- 
ment towards  self  government.  Dann  was  honored  by  them 
as  the  first  Noble  Grand  of  the  first  Rebekah  lodge,  California, 
his  wife  being  his  Right  Supporter.  For  three  terms  he  was 
their  presiding  officer,  and  January  6th,  1872,  they  gave  him  a 
silver  table  service. 

Sonora  Lodge,  No.  10,  has  the  distinguished  honor  of  send- 
ing to  the  Grand  Lodge  two  Grand  Masters,  Alexander  and 
Randall.  "Randall,"  said  an  old  timer,  "was  a  Connecticut 
Democrat,  politician  and  lawyer.  He  was  at  different  periods 
the  Clerk,  Under  Sheriff  and  Judge  of  Tuolumne  county,  and 
he  was  editor  and  proprietor  of  the  Sonora  Democrat." 
Initiated  in  the  East  in  1846,  he  joined  No.  10  by  card  in  1853, 
and  removing  to  San  Francisco  in  1876,  his  Sonora  brethren 
gave  him  a  gold-headed  cane. 

The  first  Grand  Master  from  south  of  Tehachapi  was 
George  W.  Stockwell,  from  East  Side,  No.  325,  Los  Angeles. 

The  first  Grand  Master  native  son  was  J.  N.  E.  Wilson. 
The  first  Grand  Lodge  Journal  portrait  was  J.  L.  Thompson 
of  Eureka. 

The  death  of  Charles  Gault  placed  Deputy  Grand  Master 
John  Glasson  in  the  Grand  Master's  chair,  and  the  death  of 
J.  L.  Robinette,  September  3d,  1899,  gave  to  W.  W.  Watson 
the  same  position. 


232  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

THE  SUBORDINATE  LODGES  OF  EASTERN 
CALIFORNIA, 


Their  name,  number  and  present  location,  the  time, 
place  and  by  whom  instituted,  and  their  last  re- 
ported membership : 


CALAVERAS  COUNTY. 

Hope  No.  33,  Angels  Camp,  December  21,  1855,  by  James 
Letford,  P.  G.,  under  a  dispensation  from  the  Standing 
Committee.     Membership,  59. 

Mokelumne  No.  44,  Mokelumne  Hill,  October  23,  1855,  by 
Edwin  W.  Colt,  G.  M.     Membership,  75. 

San  Andreas  No.  50,  San  Andreas,  June  4,  1856,  by  Grand 
Master  Colt.     Membership,  85. 

Campo  Seco  No.  66,  Jenny  Lind,  January  23,  1857,  by  M.  C. 
Ferguson,  D.  D.  G.  M.  Membership,  33.  The  lodge  was 
instituted  in  Chinese  Camp. 

Sharon  No.  86,  Murphys  Camp,  June  8,  1859,  by  L.  L.  Alexan- 
der, G.  M.  Membership,  46.  This  lodge  was  instituted 
in  Vallecito. 

Mineral  No.  106,  Copperopolis,  September  6,  1862.  Member- 
ship, 61. 

Independence  No.  158,  Railroad  Fl?it,  April  24,  1868,  by  C.  B. 
Hopkins,  D.  D.  G.  M.     Membership,  17. 

West  Point  No.  299,  West  Point,  November  3,  1882,  by  B.  T. 
Thompson,  D.  D.  G.  M.     Membership,  53. 

FRESNO  COUNTY. 

Clovis  No.  139,  Clovis,  December  11,  1903,  by  C.   W.  Baker, 

G.  M.    iviembership,  40.     This  lodge  took  the  number  of 

Gold  Run  Lodge  (extinct).  Placer  county. 
Laton  No.  148,    Laton,    March    30,    1904,    by    M.  A.  Morgan, 

D.  D.  G.  M.     Membership,  40.     Laton  took  the  Havilah 

Lodge  (extinct)  number. 
Fresno  No.  186,  Fresno,  February  13,  1871,  by  C.  W.  Dannals, 

G.  M.     Membership,  336.     The  lodge  was  instituted  at 

Millerton. 
Orangedale  No.  211,  Kings  River,    March    8,    1898,    by   A.  M. 

Drew,  G.  M.     Membership  28.     Kings  River  Lodge  held 

this  number  before  its  consolidation. 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  233 

Selma  No.  309,  Selma,  September  27,  1883,  by  W.  H.  McKensie, 

D.  D.  G.  M.    Membership,  70. 
Central  California  No.  343,  Fresno,  June  13,  1888,  by  George 

Matheson,  D.  D.  G.  M.    Membership,  187. 
Fowler  No.  363,  Fowler,  July  12,  1890,  by  John  Glasson,  G.  M. 

Membership,  65. 
Mt.  Campbell  No.  374,  Reedley,  April  1,  1892,  by  A.  M.  Drew, 

D.  D.  G.  M.    Membership,  48. 
Sanger  No.  375,  Sanger,  April  25,  1892,  A.  M.  Drew,  D.  D.  G.  M. 

Membership,  62. 

INYO   COUNTY. 

Inyo   No.    301,    Independence,    November    29,    1882,    by    S.    D. 

Thurston,  D.  D.  G.  M.     Membership,  29. 
Bishop  Creek  No.  332,  Bishop,  May  30,  1887,  by  S.  D.  Thurston, 

D.  D.  G.  M.     Membership,  44. 

KINGS    COUNTY. 

Hanford    No.    264,    Hanford,   August    3,    1877,    by    B.   Baer, 

D.  D.  G.  M.     Membership,  78. 
Lucerne   No.    275,   Hanford,    October   16,    1902,   by   George   T. 

Shaw,  Grand   Secretary.     Membership,   51. 
Lemoore  No.  280,  Lemoore,  formerly  in  Tulare  county,  March 

19,  1879,  by  J.  M.  Graves,  D.  D.  G.  M.     Membership,  73. 

MADERA  COUNTY. 

Madera  No.  327,  Madera,  formerly  in  Fresno  county.  May  6, 
1886,  by  E.  B.  Lyman,  D.  D.  G.  M.    Membership,  83. 

MARIPOSA   COUNTY. 

Mariposa  No.   39,  Mariposa,  May  21,   1855,  by   Grand   Master 

Colt.     Membership,  65. 
Hornitas  No.  99,  Hornitas,  September  13,  1861,  by  R.  S.  Miller, 

D.  D.  G.  M.     Membership,  41. 

Coulterville  No  104,  Coulterville,  October  31,  1861,  by  J.  R.  J. 

Bohen,  G.  M.     Membership,  49, 
Oso  No.  110,  Bear  Valley,  October  18,  1862,  by  Grand  Master 

Bohen.    Membership,  22. 

MERCED  COUNTY. 

Mt.   Brow   No.   82,   Los   Banos,  December   16,   1858,   by   L.   L. 

Alexander,  D.  D.  G.  M.    Membership,  57.    The  lodge  was 

instituted  in  Chinese  Camp. 
Willow  No.  121,  Snellings,  August  22,  1865,  by  C.  O.  Burton, 

G.  M.    Membership,  82. 
Santa    Rita    No.  124,    Dos    Palos,    June  18,  1904,  by  A.    M. 


234  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

Williams,  D.  D.  G.  M.    Membership,  11.    The  lodge  took 
the  number  of  the  extinct  lodge. 
Merced  No.  208,  Merced,  September  21,  1872,  by  John  F.  Miller, 
G.  M.     Membership,  167. 

SAN  JOAQUIN  COUNTY. 

Charity  No.  6,  Stockton,  February  14,  1852,  by  E.  G.  Green- 
field, under  a  dispensation  issued  by  D.  G.  Sire  E.  G. 

Coughlin.     Membership,  359. 
Stockton  No.  11,  Stockton,  June  24,  1854,  by  E.  W.  Colt,  G.  W. 

Membership,    227. 
Truth  No.  55,  Stockton,  December  18,  1884,  by  G.  W.  Gallup, 

D.  D.  G.  M.    Membership,  375. 
Mt  Horeb  No.   58,  Ripon,  May  27,  1856,  by  L.  L.  Alexander, 

D.  D.  G.  M.    Membership,  48.    The  lodge  was  instituted 

at  Sonora. 
Jefferson  No.  98,  Woodbridge,  August  2,  1860,  by  C.  O.  Burton, 

D.  D.  G.  M.     Membership,  59. 
Scio  No.  102,  Linden,  June  13,  1861,  by  C.  H.  Covell,  D.  D.  G.  M. 

Membership,  77. 
Sumner  No  177,  Tracy,  September  1,  1870,  by  C.  W.  Dannals, 

G.  M.     Membership,  109.     This  lodge  was  instituted  in 

Ellis. 
Lodi    No.    259,    Lodi,    May    22,    1877,    by    F.  P.  Dann,  G.  M. 

Membership,  87. 
Farmington   No.    296,   Farmington,   July    11,   1882,   by   D.   W. 

Keiver,  D.  D.  G.  M.    Membership,  34. 
Clements  No.  355,  Clements,  December  4,  1889,  by  Wm.  Ennis, 

D.  D.  G.  M.     Membership,  56. 

STANISLAUS  COUNTY. 

Lafayette  No.  65,  La  Grange,  June  14,  1857,  by  Grand  Secre- 
tory Johnson.     Membership,  69. 

Wildey  No.  149,  Modesto,  November  10,  1868,  by  George  Buck, 
D.  D.  G.  M.  Membership,  159.  The  lodge  was  instituted 
in  Tuolumne  City. 

Stanislaus  No.  170,  Knights  Ferry,  April  18,  1870,  by  John 
Harmon,  G.  M.    Membership,  34. 

Oakdale  No.  228,  Oakdale,  February  27,  1875,  by  John  F.  Miller, 
G.  M.    Membership,  54. 

Orestimba  No.  354,  Newman,  November  25,  1889.  Member- 
ship, 88. 

TUOLUMNE  COUNTY. 

Sonora  No.  10,  Sonora,  June  7,  1853,  by  E.  W.  Colt,  Grand 
Warden.    Membership,  218. 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  235 

Tuolumne  No.  21,  Columbia,  January  19,  1854,  by  Grand  Sec- 
retary Johnson.     Membership,  138. 

Yosemite  No.  97,  Big  Oak  Flat,  1861,  by  J.  N.  Milner,  D.  D. 
G.  M.    Membership,  51. 

TULARE  COUNTY. 

Tulare  City  No.  306,  Tulare,  April  30,  1882,  by  C.  H.  Murphy, 

D.  D.  G.  M.    Membership,  163. 
Exeter  No.  308,  EJxeter,  January  13,  1898,  by  A.  M.  Drew,  G.  M. 

Membership,  20.    The  lodge  took  the  number  of  Star  of 

Hope,  El  Dorado  county. 
Lake  No.  333,  Tulare,  June  15,  1887,  by  W.  W.  Cross.    Member- 
ship, 73. 
Mt.  Whitney  No.  342,  Travers,  May  31,  1888,  by  W,  W.  Cross, 

D.  D.  G.  M. 
Porterville  No.  359,  Porterville,  May  9,  1890,  by  W.  W.  Cross, 

D.  D.  G.  M.     Membership,  69. 
Dinuba  No.  381,  Dinuba,  December  12,  1892,  by  A.  M.  Drew, 

D.  D.  G.  M.     Membership,  82. 


236  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 


I  NDEIX- 

Alexander,  L.  L.,  biography,  228. 

Allen,  Wm.,  biography,  229. 

Anniversary  day,  our — California  first  celebrates,  44. 

Appropriation,  Fox  expends  more  than,  9G — annual,  109. 

Austin,  Frank,  brotherhood,  opinion  of,  42 — assists  in  found- 
ing Germanic  Order,  121. 

Australia  knocks  at  the  door,  113 — Meacham,  there  founds 
Odd  Fellowship,  115. 

Burton,  Charles  O.,  active  in  politics,  G4 — biography,  229. 

Barnes,  Wm.  H.,  locates  in  California,  89 — ^composes  and 
sings  song,  121 — biography,  155 — opposes  Cantons,  1G2 — 
denounces  intemperance,  223. 

Bohen,  J.  A.  J.,  his  visitation  unexcelled,  97 — death  and 
burial,  229. 

Bohen,  Geo.  T.,  organizes  Golden  Gate  Batallion,  162. 

Brockway,  Silas  A.,  Grand  Warden,  127— death,  128,  138. 

California  Lodge,  No.  1,  instituted,  12 — work  in  foreign  lands, 
110. 

Case,  Geo.  A.,  biography,  152— opposes  employment  of  Assist- 
ant Secretary,  153. 

Cemetery,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  purchase  of  San  Francisco,  55-58 — 
prominent  dead  in,  56 — toll  road  to,  59. 

Colt,  Edwin  W.,  insulting  report,  30^ — biography,  227. 

Chinese  Grand  Sire's  decision  on,  35 — Dwinelle  speech  against, 
37 — prohibited  from  working  at  the  Home,  202. 

Colfax  Schuler,  visits  California,  51 — confers  Rebekah  degrees, 
52,  58 — presented  a  cane,  52 — most  popular  man  in 
public  life,  58. 

Eigenbrodt,  Charles  L.,  killed  at  Shenandoah,  64 — Father  of 
Crusade  Lodge,  72. 

Encampment  Grand,  charter  granted,  26 — instituted,  27 — 
Morse  denounces  it,  29 — votes  for  mergement,  34 — 
Geo.  F.  Roesch,  Past  Grand  Patriarch,  28. 

Excelsior  Lodge  instituted,  9,  112 — visited  by  Wm.  Fox,  113 — 
memorial  to  S.  G.  L.,  37 — Martin  White's  plea  for,  38 — 
Grand  Secretary's  blunder  regarding,  113. 

Degrees,  revision  of,  174 — lodges  vote  on,  176 — first  lodge  to 
use  new  Ritual,  189. 

Dann,  F.  P.  biography,  230. 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  237 

Famsworth,  Grand  Sire,  visits  Templar  lodge,  116 — sails  for 
Germany,  118 — telegraphs  for  Morse,  119 — death  of,  146; 
see  Morse  and  Templar. 

Frazer,  Alexander  V.,  appointed  as  D.  G.  Sire,  10 — raises  first 
I.  O.  O.  F.  flag,  11. 

Fox,  Charles  N.,  presents  gavel  to  Grand  Lodge,  58 — 
biography,  229. 

Gallup,  Geo.  W.,  appoints  first  woman  deputy,  172 — 
biography,  181. 

Gunnison,  A.  J.,  shipwrecked,  75. 

Gurnett,  W.  J.,  appointed  lodge  instructor,  141 — oflBce 
abolished,  142. 

grands.  Past,  efforts  to  disfranchise,  103 — Warboy's  shot  at, 
106. 

Haswell,  Charles  S.,  patriotic  speech,  65 — receives  first  Grand 
Lodge  jewel,  130. 

Harmon,  John  B.,  biography,  127,  135— installed  as  D.  G.  Sire, 
131 — reorganizes  lodges,  134-136 — installed  as  Grand 
Sire,  136. 

Hill,  John  B.,  visits  Victoria  Lodge,  140 — biography,  230. 

Home,  Orphans,  169—1.  O.  O.  F.,  the  story  of,  196. 

Hueston,  H.  M.,  biography,  228. 

Isaacks,  Samuel,  a  good  story  of,  189. 

Johnson,  Grand  Secretary,  a  faithful  officer,  80 — presented 
gold  watch,  83 — death  and  burial,  84. 

Kendall,  Davis,  biography,  230. 

Louderback,  Davis,  the  Rebekah's  friend,  170. 

Lodges,  pioneer,  16,  18 — give  money  to  Garfield  monument, 
69 — entertain  Manila  soldiers,  70 — loan  coin  to 
Meacham,  114 — send  money  to  Morse,  122 — Truth,  No. 
55,  instituted,  218 — celebrate  anniversary  of  California, 
No.  1,  218— list  of  subordinate,  232. 

Lodge,  Grand,  refused  a  charter,  21 — nunc  pro  tune  warrant 
granted,  23 — organization  of  24 — fight  over  mergement, 
30 — reception  at  Sacramento,  65 — refuse  to  appropriate 
money  for  Lincoln  monument,  68 — resolutions  to  Gen- 
eral Lawton,  70 — greetings  to  McKinley,  welcome  to 
Roosevelt,  71 — purchase  a  banner,  86,  94 — a  broad  juris- 
diction of,  140 — special  sessions  of  150 — meet  in  San 
Jose,  178 — efforts  to  change  assembly  place,  179,  187, 
190— cities  where  assembled,  189. 

Los  Angeles,  growth  of  190 — petition  S.  G.  L.  to  meet  in  192. 

Lyons,  W.  B.,  elected  Grand  Secretary,  85 — a  valuable  assist- 
ant, 177— death  and  burial,  2U. 


238  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 

Masters,  Grand,  amendment  defeated  permitting  to  vote,  102. 

Marysville,  dedication  of  I.  O.  O.  F.  liall,  43. 

Morse,  John  F.,  maizes  enemies,  30 — visits  Germany,  116 — 
commissioned  as  Deputy  Grand  Sire,  120 — institutes 
Wurtemberg  lodge,  121 — given  grand  reception,  124 — 
death  and  burial,  125 — biography,  227. 

Nicholls,  Wm.,  long  travel,  95 — receives  deed  for  new  Home, 
203. 

Nevada,  in  California  jurisdiction,  110, 

O'Brien,  invites  G.  L.  to  Vallejo,  82 — good  story  on,  94. 

Odd  Fellows,  oldest  society  on  Pacific  Coast,  9 — first  lodge,  13 
— first  oration,  46 — cemeteries,  55 — duty  of  66 — true  and 
loyal,  71— non-affiliating,  159— old,  58-139,  215. 

Odd  Fellowship,  the  fires  of  60 — growth  of,  159. 

Patriarch,  first  uniforming  of,  161,  172 — militant,  164 — oldest 
living,  190 — youngest  grand,  209. 

Papers,  New  Age,  history  of,  41 — splendid  Odd  Fellow  edi- 
tions, 181. 

Phelps,  W.  W.,  his  splendid  record  as  Grand  Master,  216 — 
Lyons,  the  first  boomer,  214—40,000  night,  215. 

Parker,  Samuel  H.,  biography,  17 — starts  for  California,  19 — 
defeated  for  Grand  Sire,  20 — commissioned  as  D.  G. 
Sire,  23 — elected  Grand  Master,  24 — insitutes  encamp- 
ments, 26 — sudden  death,  56. 

Porter,  Nathan,  favors  mergement,  34 — entertains  Sovereign 
Grand  Lodge,  77 — orator  at  grand  reunion,  87 — preaches 
sermon,  94 — death  of,  90 — biography,  91 — funeral,  92 — 
Leman's    eulogy,  on  92. 

Polynesians,  Barnes  opposes,  39 — Grand  Sire  Ellison's 
decision  on,  36 — not  eligible,  37. 

Prohibition,  first  law,  6,  a  temperance  lodge,  206 — law  of 
1895,  211. 

Randall,  Grand  Master,  visits  out  of  beaten  track,  98 — kills 
P.  G.  M.  resolution,  102 — biography,  231. 

Rebekahs,  first  lodge,  128,  130— petition  for  State  convention, 
164 — organization  and  officers  of,  168 — organization  of 
Assembly,  169 — vote  to  meet  in  Los  Angeles,  189 — the 
California  beautified  work,  194 ;    see  Colfax. 

Ridgely,  speech,  78 — presented  cane,  79 — memorial  service, 
137 — Canton  named  after,  163. 

Relief,  associations,  15— for  Chicago,  143— Michigan,  144— 
Marysville,  145 — southern,  147 — Johnstown,  216 — 
Galveston,  217 — Baltimore  no,  149. 

Smith,  E.  P.  death  of,  217. 


CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP.  5539 

Smiley,  Thomas,  obtains  a  dispensation,  11. 

Sacramento,  dedicates  I.  O.  O.  F.  hall,  45-146 — lays  temple 
corner-stone,  77. 

San  Francisco,  dedicates  hall,  43,  49,  185 — laying  corner-stone, 
180 — library    founded  by  Parker,  53. 

Sovereign  Grand  Lodge,  organization  of,  7 — changes  name,7 — 
seceded  from  Manchester  Unity,  8 — trapped  on  color 
line,  36 — ranks  not  broken  by  Civil  War,  62 — Southern 
lodges  return,  63 — invited  to  California,  75 — reception 
in  California  theater,  78 — excursions,  79 — grand  re- 
union, 85 — authorizes  Grand  Sire  to  found  Order  in 
Germany,  115 — amends  Constitution,  126 — meets  in 
Los  Angeles. 

Spooner,  Alden,  certificate  of,  101. 

Spooner,  J.  Pitcher,  father  of  No.  55,  217, 

Stockton,  lodges  first  to  celebrate  anniversary,  44 — lay  first 
corner-stone,  74 — dedicate  hall,  73. 

Templar  Lodge  agrees  to  pay  railroad  expense,  76 — have  silver 
badges  manufactured,  94 — appropriate  $1,200  to  found 
Order,  116— zenith  of  fame,  126. 

Union  resolutions,  62,  72. 

Van  Bokkelen,  John  L.,  no  time  to  visit,  96 — issues  first  anni- 
versary proclamation,  43,  biography,  228. 

Veterans  association,  organization  of,  88. 

Visitations,  district,  Freer  first  recommends,  98 — Brueck's 
improved  plan  adopted,  99. 

Watson,  W.  W.,  biography,  228. 

Woman,  first  D.  D.  G.  M.,  166— self  reliant,  73. 

Wlldey,  Thomas,  sails  for  America,  3 — institutes  Washington 
Lodge,  5 — death  and  memorial  service,  47 — money  for 
monument,  49. 

York  at  Lee,  declares  for  brotherhood  of  man,  38 — strong 
opinion,  39 — birth  place,  42. 


240  CALIFORNIA    ODD    FELLOWSHIP. 


NOTE. 

As  this  index  goes  to  print  the 
greater  part  of  San  Francisco  is  in 
ashes,  caused  by  a  heavy  earthquake 
on  the  morning  of  April  18th,  1906, 
followed  by  a  most  disastrous  fire.  In 
its  uncontrollable  greed  for  destruction, 
the  fire  fiend  carried  everything  be- 
fore it,  and  now  San  Francisco  Odd 
Fellowship  is  practically  gone.  Build- 
ings, halls  and  records  are  all 
destroyed,  and  "the  work  of  fifty  years 
is  blotted  out." 

Grand  Master  Phelps,  in  a  little 
room  in  Oakland,  which  serves  the 
double  purpose  of  an  office  and  a  bed- 
room, is  working  like  a  hero  to  re- 
lieve the  distress  of  the  suffering  Odd 
Fellows  and  their  families,  and  in  the 
work  of  reconstruction.  The  late 
records  of  the  Grand  Lodge  were 
saved  by  Grand  Secretary  Shaw  and 
another  brother,  and  June  5th  the 
Grand  Lodge  will  assemble  in  Santa 
Cruz. 


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